Kilwins Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Sweet shop franchise offering handcrafted chocolates, fudge, ice cream, and other confections, providing indulgent and high-quality treats for all ages.

Kilwins is a renowned American franchise that has been delighting customers with its high-quality confections since 1947. Founded by Don and Katy Kilwin in Petoskey, Michigan, Kilwins quickly became a staple of Americana, known for its exceptional chocolates, fudge, and ice cream.

The franchise's dedication to quality is evident in its use of original recipes and premium ingredients, which are crafted both in a central kitchen and in-store, ensuring a fresh and unique product experience for every customer.

The Kilwins franchise began expanding through franchising in 1982, and today it boasts presence across 26 states. 

What sets Kilwins apart from its competition is its commitment to not just selling products but creating a sensory experience that captures the essence of nostalgia.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Kilwins offers 2 types of franchises:

Franchise Type Initial Investment Range
Kilwins Franchised Store $513,485 to $880,344
Kilwins Franchised Shop $295,415 to $422,942

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Kilwins Franchised Store.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount (Low to High)
Initial franchise fee $30,000 to $40,000
Plans and Construction $268,340 to $416,687
Construction Deposit or Fee $5,000 to $20,000
Equipment $131,166 to $185,699
Computer Systems $14,169
Inventory $30,646 to $51,762
Signs and Awnings $9,328 to $27,179
Advertising $10,000
Insurance $519 to $21,528
Training Expenses $5,066 to $7,559
Business Licenses $25 to $1,200
Professional Fees $750 to $5,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $8,000 to $75,000
Security Deposits $475 to $4,560
Total Store Investment $513,485 to $880,344

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

Kilwins

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

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Passive investment

?

FDD
Kilwins
1982
168
+
16%
16%
$40,000
5.00%

$295,000

-

$880,000

n.a.

$802,000

Upgrade

72.0%

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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No
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No
Yes
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Yes
2018
2
+
0%
0%
$30,000
6.00%

$160,000

-

$274,000

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n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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No
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No
No
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No
2006
5
+
67%
67%
$25,000
5.00%

$234,000

-

$434,000

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n.a.

$341,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
2012
38
+
27%
27%
$20,000
$500 per month

$173,000

-

$185,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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Yes
Upgrade
Yes
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
2010
15
+
-21%
-21%
$35,000
6.00%

$217,000

-

$461,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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No
Upgrade
No
Yes
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Yes
2005
37
+
-12%
-12%
$35,000
6.00%

$110,000

-

$284,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
No
Upgrade
No
2023
0
+
n.a.
n.a.
$60,000
6.00%

$477,000

-

$740,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$731,000

69.9%

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No

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Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

?

Profit margin

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Franchise Disclosure Documents
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?

Priority support

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Training 

Kilwins provides comprehensive training for its franchisees through a structured program known as "Kilwins University." 

This training program is designed to equip new franchise owners with all the necessary knowledge and skills to operate a successful Kilwins store. 

The training covers various aspects of the business, including product preparation, customer service, store management, and operational procedures.

The program typically begins with an extensive onboarding process, where franchisees are introduced to the Kilwins brand and business model. 

This is followed by hands-on training in an actual Kilwins store, where franchisees learn the intricacies of making Kilwins' signature chocolates, fudge, and ice cream. 

In addition to product-related training, franchisees receive guidance on marketing, financial management, and employee training, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver the high-quality customer experience that Kilwins is known for.

Territory Protection

Kilwins offers a form of territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee's investment is safeguarded by limiting the number of Kilwins stores within a specific geographic area. 

This territorial exclusivity helps franchisees avoid direct competition with other Kilwins stores, allowing them to capture a defined market share without the concern of overlapping customer bases. 

The specifics of the territory protection, including the exact area covered, are typically detailed in the franchise agreement, offering franchisees confidence in their market potential.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

145

159

168

Company-owned units

4

5

4

Total units

149

164

172

Competitors

Sweet Rolled Tacos

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$160,000 - $274,000

Gofer Ice Cream

Franchisees

?

5
+
67%
67%
Investment

?

$234,000 - $434,000

Tikiz Shaved Ice and Ice Cream

Franchisees

?

38
+
27%
27%
Investment

?

$173,000 - $185,000

Popbar

Franchisees

?

15
+
-21%
-21%
Investment

?

$217,000 - $461,000

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