KILWINS
Kilwins Chocolates Franchise, Inc. franchises the right to operate 'Kilwins' Full Line Chocolates, Confectionery & Ice Cream Stores or smaller 'Kilwins' Ice Cream & Chocolate Shops specializing in hand-crafted chocolates, original recipe ice cream, fudge, and other confections made using approved recipes and ingredients. The business model involves franchisees adhering to the Kilwins System, including branding, trade dress, operating procedures, and sourcing from affiliates like Kilwins Quality Confections, LLC, with options for franchisor-built stores. Target market is persons over the age of two, including tourists in seasonal locations.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 3% marketing contribution + $805/mo technology, software, POS, accounting, network & training fees
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: The results represent 128 franchised Kilwins Stores, in operation during the entire period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, that reported Gross Sales. Excluded from these results were 11 seasonally operated stores, 3 stores without full cooking capacity, 15 franchised stores not open for the entire 12-month period (even seasonally), and 12 stores excluded due to closures from significant hurricane impact.
* The document provides 'Cost of Sales (2023)' as an average of 30% of Gross Sales and 'Non-Owner Payroll (2023)' as an average of 23% of Gross Sales, based on 106 franchised stores. However, Section 6 on page 4 explicitly states that franchisees will incur numerous other significant expenses not included in these percentages, such as royalty fees, local advertising expenditures, contributions to Marketing and Regional Funds, rent, occupancy costs, employee benefits, debt service, insurance, and various other operational and administrative costs. Due to the absence of comprehensive expense data, it is not possible to reliably calculate a best guess for net profit or net income range with the given information without making unsupported assumptions about these additional, significant costs.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How KILWINS Compares to Other Desserts & Ice Cream Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 93% of Desserts & Ice Cream franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Desserts & Ice Cream
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Desserts & Ice Cream
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
KILWINS Current | $513K - $880K | $40K | 5.0% | 168 |
| RITA'S FRANCHISE COMPANY, LLC; RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS | $315K - $771K | $35K | 6.5% | 564 |
| MENCHIE'S | $165K - $425K | $40K | 6.0% | 296 |
| DIPPIN' DOTS | $139K - $399K | $35K | 6.0% | 260 |
| MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY | $355K - $477K | $25K | 6.0% | 249 |
| HAAGEN DAZS SHOP | $215K - $568K | $30K | 4.0% | 207 |
Desserts & Ice Cream Average 28 franchises | $327K - $659K | $36K | 7.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 28 Desserts & Ice Cream franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+14 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for KILWINS franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily disputes involving violations of covenants against competition by former franchisees and proper termination of franchise agreements.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a KILWINS franchise?
The total initial investment to open a KILWINS franchise ranges from $513,485 to $880,344. This includes a franchise fee of $40,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a KILWINS franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a KILWINS franchise is $933,138. The median revenue is $802,132.
How many KILWINS franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, KILWINS has 168 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1981.
Can you get an SBA loan for a KILWINS franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for KILWINS franchises. Historical data shows 96 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for KILWINS franchisees, with an average loan amount of $437,202. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is KILWINS a good franchise to buy?
KILWINS shows several positive indicators: established brand with 168+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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