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 | Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice CreamChocolates and Ice Cream |
Business Type
FranchiseMin Liquid Capital
$100,000 to $120,000Total Investment
$336,000 to $570,000Required Net Worth
$500,000Number of Units
76In Business Since
1947* For Current Info See:
Franchise Disclosure Document
Overview
Kilwin's franchise licensing system combines a proven business system with people who want to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves. Follow the system Kilwin's has developed:
- Maintain a quality image
- Provide top quality products
- Provide excellent leadership and employ quality people
- Plan and work for long term results
Products & Services
But we’re 60 years young thanks to all the ice cream! We’re kids in candy stores, literally, and there’s nothing like serving up enjoyment to keep you feeling youthful. Last month we looked at the road ahead, and now I would like to look back at these sixty years.
Don and Katy Kilwin once told me how it all started back in 1947. At that time, post war rationing was still in effect so it was not possible to open a new bakery because you couldn’t get sugar. Don and Katy arranged to purchase a bakery in the then booming town of Manistique in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, only to find when they arrived in Manistique the owner had changed his mind. On their return to the Detroit area they stopped in Petoskey (which in 1947 was anything but a boom town), saw a “for sale” sign in the bakery window and bought the Petoskey bakery. So in the end of May, 1947, Don and Katy Kilwin moved from Detroit to Petoskey, and opened a bakery on Petoskey Street. Their oven broke in their first year of business and they had to sell their car to buy a new one.
By the end of that first year, they had already started making some candies, so it was natural that in 1948 they bought their first marble slab (for fudge) and installed it in their bakery. Fast forward 10 years to 1958, which saw the Kilwins’ building a larger bakery on the corner of West Mitchell and Jackson Street. There they continued making baked goods and candy until April of 1965, when they bought and remodeled the store next door for their candy-making, naming it the Friendly Village Shop.
In 1971 the Kilwins sold the bakery end of their business and devoted themselves to full-time candy making. Three years later they moved their operation to Howard Street (where the Petoskey Kilwin’s Shoppe still stands). In 1978 Don and Katy sold the business to Wayne and Lorene Rose who opened stores in Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island and Traverse City. In 1979 the Kitchen moved to its current Division Road address, and in 1982 the Roses franchised Kilwin’s. (Don passed away at age 59 in about 1981 and Katy still lives in Petoskey with her husband Paul Darga.)
Robin and I opened the first Kilwin’s franchise in 1982 in Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan which was followed very shortly by Karen Piehutkoski’s in Ann Arbor. Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Big Rapids and Cheboygan were already wholesale accounts and became franchised stores. Robin and I subsequently partnered in opening Kilwin’s franchises in Saugatuck (1984), Sarasota (1985), Blowing Rock (1988), and many others. We believed that the southern climate presented a big opportunity for our stores, especially for our homemade ice cream—and we were right.
In 1995, Robin and I bought Kilwin’s Quality Confections, Inc. and Kilwin’s Chocolates Franchise, Inc. from the Roses. By 1997 we had 30 franchises, and 10 years later are still going strong. 2006 saw the opening of ten new stores, putting the total number of franchises up to 60!
Kilwin's Vision and Strategy
Our goal as a family of nationwide confectionery shoppes is to provide people the best confectionery and ice cream they will ever enjoy.
Our values of honesty, integrity, quality, and hard work are traditional family values that provide our business with lasting results.
Our vision to become part of traditional American life guides us in projecting the image that our confectionery shoppes are part of America's heritage.
Don and Katy Kilwin once told me how it all started back in 1947. At that time, post war rationing was still in effect so it was not possible to open a new bakery because you couldn’t get sugar. Don and Katy arranged to purchase a bakery in the then booming town of Manistique in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, only to find when they arrived in Manistique the owner had changed his mind. On their return to the Detroit area they stopped in Petoskey (which in 1947 was anything but a boom town), saw a “for sale” sign in the bakery window and bought the Petoskey bakery. So in the end of May, 1947, Don and Katy Kilwin moved from Detroit to Petoskey, and opened a bakery on Petoskey Street. Their oven broke in their first year of business and they had to sell their car to buy a new one.
By the end of that first year, they had already started making some candies, so it was natural that in 1948 they bought their first marble slab (for fudge) and installed it in their bakery. Fast forward 10 years to 1958, which saw the Kilwins’ building a larger bakery on the corner of West Mitchell and Jackson Street. There they continued making baked goods and candy until April of 1965, when they bought and remodeled the store next door for their candy-making, naming it the Friendly Village Shop.
In 1971 the Kilwins sold the bakery end of their business and devoted themselves to full-time candy making. Three years later they moved their operation to Howard Street (where the Petoskey Kilwin’s Shoppe still stands). In 1978 Don and Katy sold the business to Wayne and Lorene Rose who opened stores in Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island and Traverse City. In 1979 the Kitchen moved to its current Division Road address, and in 1982 the Roses franchised Kilwin’s. (Don passed away at age 59 in about 1981 and Katy still lives in Petoskey with her husband Paul Darga.)
Robin and I opened the first Kilwin’s franchise in 1982 in Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan which was followed very shortly by Karen Piehutkoski’s in Ann Arbor. Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Traverse City, Mackinac Island, Big Rapids and Cheboygan were already wholesale accounts and became franchised stores. Robin and I subsequently partnered in opening Kilwin’s franchises in Saugatuck (1984), Sarasota (1985), Blowing Rock (1988), and many others. We believed that the southern climate presented a big opportunity for our stores, especially for our homemade ice cream—and we were right.
In 1995, Robin and I bought Kilwin’s Quality Confections, Inc. and Kilwin’s Chocolates Franchise, Inc. from the Roses. By 1997 we had 30 franchises, and 10 years later are still going strong. 2006 saw the opening of ten new stores, putting the total number of franchises up to 60!
Kilwin's Vision and Strategy
Our goal as a family of nationwide confectionery shoppes is to provide people the best confectionery and ice cream they will ever enjoy.
Our values of honesty, integrity, quality, and hard work are traditional family values that provide our business with lasting results.
Our vision to become part of traditional American life guides us in projecting the image that our confectionery shoppes are part of America's heritage.
Training & Support
Making the Kilwin's System Work for you
Each shoppe has the support of Kilwin's franchise experts - a team as committed to excellence as you are.
We will assist in site selection. Based on your selection, we will help you develop a business plan that identifies potential customers, defines the most viable opportunities and defines specific tasks that will focus on making the most of your site's potential.
Experienced Kilwin's staff is available to you and your legal and financial counselors for consultation regarding your site selection and lease.
Our staff will design the store based on your site's specific business environment and customer base. Planning will include store layout and design as well as product mix tailored to your market and merchandising needs.
If an architect is required, Kilwin's will provide this information to him/her.
Lists of all equipment and supplies will be provided to you after the store design is complete.
We will train you step by step to operate efficiently. The Kilwin's Operations/Policy Manual will simplify the elements of store management by providing answers to your daily operational questions. Of course, we're always just a phone call away.
We will keep you well informed of business trends, new products and opportunities through conventions, newsletters and store visits.
Kilwin's promotional department will provide press releases and other marketing assistance.
Each shoppe has the support of Kilwin's franchise experts - a team as committed to excellence as you are.
We will assist in site selection. Based on your selection, we will help you develop a business plan that identifies potential customers, defines the most viable opportunities and defines specific tasks that will focus on making the most of your site's potential.
Experienced Kilwin's staff is available to you and your legal and financial counselors for consultation regarding your site selection and lease.
Our staff will design the store based on your site's specific business environment and customer base. Planning will include store layout and design as well as product mix tailored to your market and merchandising needs.
If an architect is required, Kilwin's will provide this information to him/her.
Lists of all equipment and supplies will be provided to you after the store design is complete.
We will train you step by step to operate efficiently. The Kilwin's Operations/Policy Manual will simplify the elements of store management by providing answers to your daily operational questions. Of course, we're always just a phone call away.
We will keep you well informed of business trends, new products and opportunities through conventions, newsletters and store visits.
Kilwin's promotional department will provide press releases and other marketing assistance.
Why Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice Cream?
Kilwin's franchise licensing system combines a proven business system with people who want to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves.- Assistance in site selection & lease negotiations
- Interior design (will require blueprints of space)
- Equipment list
- Two week training at our facility & on site
Are You a Good Fit for Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice Cream?
A qualified potential franchisee must have a minimum net worth of $500,000 and cash on hand of $100,000 to $120,000. Your initial investment will be $304,470 to $695,000.
We are currently concentrating our efforts for expansion in states east of the Mississippi. Also please note we are currently only franchising within the United States.
We are currently concentrating our efforts for expansion in states east of the Mississippi. Also please note we are currently only franchising within the United States.
