Partners Justin Lawler and Miguel Carmona (at left) at the ribbon cutting during the grand opening of the new Culver's at 2974 Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers on Monday. CHUCK BALLARO

North Fort Myers now has a Culver’s. For people in love with their famous Butterburgers and frozen custard, that’s good news.

The new Culver’s opened Monday across from Merchants Crossing at 2974 Pine Island Road, adjacent to a new development which should bring in a built-in audience.

Dozens had already arrived at the new location 30 minutes before the 10 a.m. ribbon cutting to be the first to order food and perhaps grab some Culver’s swag, which included free frozen custard for a year.

For them and for owner Miguel Carmona, it was a long time coming since his first interview with the company with Justin Lawler, who is now his partner.

“Today, I’m opening my first Culver’s. Me and my wife have been with them since 2014 and it’s been a goal to open a store of our own,” Carmona said. “From day one, I was motivated and driven and today, we get to achieve that goal.”

Partners Justin Lawler and Miguel Carmona before the grand opening of the new Culver's at 2974 Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers on Monday. CHUCK BALLARO

Lawler was already opening his second Culver’s 10 years ago and now owns 11. Carmona said if Lawler can do what he’s done, he could, too.

Carmona said Culver’s success is because they are something between fast food and casual dining, with the Butterburgers and frozen custard their signature items.

“Everything comes straight from the farm to the table. You can’t get that anywhere else. It’s quality over quantity,” said Carmona, whose 11-year-old son, Miguel Jr., and wife, who was born and raised in the area, was also there for the happy occasion.

The impact of Culver’s for the North Fort Myers community is expected to be huge. It will not only employ close to 80 people, but also be a contributor to the community.

It showed that months before they opened by offering frozen custard to the golfers at the Calvin Peete Golf Classic in October.

Workers during the grand opening of the new Culver's at 2974 Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers on Monday. CHUCK BALLARO

It has become a member of the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. Wendy Murray, executive director, said the new Culver’s is a great addition to the area, along with the new Starbucks.

“We are excited to have something like Culver’s come into our community. I’m a huge fan. The pot roast sandwich is excellent and the custard is great,” Murray said. “They are a great community partner and will host some events here.”

Carmona said there were some hiccups with permitting that delayed the opening, but thankfully everyone was patient and the day has finally arrived. Now, locals don’t have to go to the other end of Cape Coral or South Fort Myers for Culver’s.

Phil Metzler is a huge fan of Culver’s and was happy to see the new location open.

“It’s just good fast food. It’s right there with Chick-fil-A. People from Wisconsin and the Midwest love Culver’s,” Metzler said. “It’s in a great location with an apartment complex right behind us that I’m sure they’re going to get lots of people from there.”