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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Kilwins Franchise

Kilwins is a specialty confectionery and ice cream franchise that traces its roots to 1947, when a confection business was founded in Petoskey, Michigan. The brand began franchising in 1983 and has grown to more than 170 retail locations across the United States. In 2023, private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners acquired Kilwins to drive further national expansion.

The retail model centres on handcrafted chocolates, fudge, caramel apples, brittle, and premium ice cream. Many items are prepared in open kitchens where customers watch production on marble tables using copper kettles. Heritage Chocolate is Fair Trade Certified and produced at the Kilwins kitchen in Petoskey; Original Recipe Ice Cream is Kosher certified and shipped via Kilwins’ own temperature-controlled distribution fleet.

Franchisees generate revenue across several categories: in-store confections, premium ice cream (accounting for over half of typical store sales), packaged take-home gifts, and an online storefront fulfilling orders direct to consumers. Two store formats are available, including a smaller Scoops and Sweets model suited to spaces as small as 600 sq. ft., giving franchisees flexibility across a range of market types.

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Why buy a Kilwins Franchise?

Kilwins carries a long-standing brand identity in a retail category where distinctiveness and experience count. Proprietary Heritage Chocolate, made-in-store treats prepared in customer view, and a premium ice cream range give each location multiple revenue streams rather than dependence on a single product. The nostalgic open-kitchen format, with copper kettles, marble tables, and fresh confections made in view, drives repeat traffic and gift-occasion spending.

The brand’s PE-backed ownership since 2023 has reinforced the support infrastructure available to franchisees, including centrally sourced ingredients delivered via Kilwins’ own distribution network. Franchisees do not source core inputs independently; Heritage Chocolate arrives from Petoskey and ice cream via Kilwins’ temperature-controlled fleet, simplifying supplier management at the unit level.

Kilwins Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1947

    • Franchising Since

      1981

    • New Startup Cost

      $484,638 – $880,295

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $45,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      3%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      187

    • New Units Opened *

      18

    • Units Transferred *

      10

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $951,795

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Kilwins – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Kilwins University provides initial training combining 27–43 classroom hours with 56–173 on-the-job hours, covering operations, production, brand standards, and management. Franchisees receive access to the proprietary Kilwins POS System, which integrates sales reporting and product ordering, and an Online Brand Standards Manual available to staff 24/7. Product supply is supported through two Kilwins distribution centres operating dedicated temperature-controlled trucks and drivers. Resale buyers should confirm with Kilwins what University onboarding and POS system access are provided to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Kilwins suits owner-operators comfortable in a customer-facing retail environment and motivated by the daily experience of serving guests. The role is staffing-led: franchisees manage an in-store team responsible for both production and customer service, and the open-kitchen format demands consistent attention to quality and presentation. Community engagement is an advantage, as repeat traffic and gift-occasion sales rely on local visibility and relationships. No confectionery background is required; comfort with premium customer expectations, hands-on management, and strong people skills matter most.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Kilwins has been ranked top in its category in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 for eight consecutive years through 2024, reflecting consistent franchise system performance. The brand's heritage since 1947, its Fair Trade Certified Heritage Chocolate, and Kosher-certified Original Recipe Ice Cream add credibility signals relevant to ingredient-conscious consumers. For resale buyers, national award recognition provides a useful starting point, but a specific unit's local customer reputation, review presence, and community standing are equally important factors to assess.

  4. Industry / Market

    The National Confectioners Association reported $28.1 billion in US chocolate confectionery sales for 2024. Grand View Research estimates the US artisanal ice cream market at $2.19 billion in 2023, growing at 6.5% annually through 2030, driven by consumer demand for premium, craft-made products. Kilwins operates at the intersection of both segments. Demand is seasonal: ice cream drives the summer peak, but gift chocolate, holiday confections, and occasion purchases provide year-round revenue. For resale buyers, foot-traffic location quality, local tourism patterns, and a unit's seasonal revenue mix are key assessment factors.

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