Smoothie King vs Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Smoothie King vs Kilwin's Chocolates including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Smoothie King Franchise
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Investment $269,550 - $845,985$177,534 - $937,415
Franchise Fee $30,000$20,000 - $40,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 3%1%
Year Founded 19871947
Year Franchised 19881982
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Smoothie King Franchise
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 173 hours Classroom Training: 43 hours Additional Training: Online training; store visits
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National mediaAd Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 9

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		10% of all franchisees own more than one unit.
    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 10
    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Smoothie King

    When visits to various doctors did little to relieve the allergies Steve Kuhnau was suffering from, the nurse began reading up on nutrition, hoping a change in diet would help his symptoms. Once he began eating fresh foods and cutting fat out of his diet, Kuhnau started feeling better. His next task was to find a way to tackle the midday fatigue caused by hypoglycemia. Using his nursing expertise and the drink mixing experience he gained as a soda jerk in high school, Kuhnau began experimenting with high protein drinks. The resulting product combined fresh fruits, vitamins and other supplements and inspired the creation of Kuhnau's company, Smoothie King.
    Each Smoothie King store sells smoothies and a variety of vitamins, minerals, low fat snacks and nutritional supplements. Offering 40 percent off its initial franchise fee agreements for the first 40 agreements in 2013 IN St. Louis.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Smoothie King Business ranges from for an end-cap or in-line location, $269,550 to $545,035, and for a free-standing drive-thru location, $577,100 to $845,985. This includes $28,250 to $36,990 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you also must pay the franchisor a development fee of $12,500 for each Smoothie King franchise you commit to develop after the first franchise. You must develop a minimum of 5 Smoothie King Businesses under the Area Development Agreement.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    ""  "Entrepreneur

    #14 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #19 in Franchise 500 for 2021.







    About Kilwin's Chocolates

    Since 1947 Kilwins has been a celebrated part of Americana having earned a reputation for providing high quality products and excellent service. Our heritage was built on the simple premise of creating our products from the finest ingredients and providing customers with great service. Today we continue the tradition by uniquely combining high quality products with a warm friendly customer experience that is supported through a successful community of caring owner operators. We continue to offer the finest quality traditional down-home confections and ice cream that are kitchen made fresh from premium ingredients and original recipes.

    Seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states:
    Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #105 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #121 in Franchise 500 for 2021.