NILES TOWNSHIP — A Brandywine High School graduate is finalizing plans to bring a brand-new Culver’s Restaurant to Niles.

Katelinn Rose will serve as the owner and operator of the restaurant, which is set to break ground in March at 1420 S. 11th Street, across from Wendy’s and next to Speedway. The restaurant is anticipated to open in July or August.

Since last year, Rose said she has been working with the township to bring the restaurant to Niles residents.

“I just grew to love the brand, and when the opportunity came to go back to my home town, I of course [decided] to take it,” Rose said.

At the Niles Culver’s, hungry customers will find the restaurant’s flagship menu items: frozen custard and butterburgers — a hamburger patty served on a buttered and toasted bun — as well as cheese curds, fries, chicken sandwiches and salads, to name a few.

Rose is a 2015 graduate of Brandywine High School. She got her first job at Culver’s when she was 16 years old.

Today, she serves as the Mishawaka location’s general manager. When the Niles location opens, she will work full-time as the owner and operator of the new restaurant.

Rose will operate the store with three partners: Keith Remington, Chad Stevenson and Jeff Liegel.

Since her first job with the restaurant, Rose said she had learned a lot of career skills and how much she loves the company, she said.

“It really grew me into who I am today,” Rose said. “I love, obviously, the food. I stand behind that. It is fresh, never frozen.”

In the weeks to come, Rose said she would work with the township’s planning commission to finalize design plans for the Niles Culver’s.

She will also begin hiring and training restaurant managers and team members at the Mishawaka location. Rose said she anticipates hiring about 60 to 70 people to work at the restaurant. The jobs available are a mix of full-and part-time positions. Those interested in applying to the Niles restaurant are encouraged to call Rose at (574) 222-7778. Interested applicants can also apply to the Mishawaka Culver’s and specify that they would like to work in Niles, Rose said.

Rose said she looks forward to getting the restaurant involved in the Niles community. At the Mishawaka location, she said she helps to host “give back” nights and “kids’ nights” to benefit the community. She plans to start those traditions at the Niles restaurants. 

The Niles Culver’s Restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Sunday. To learn more about Culver’s, visit culvers.com.