Kilwin's Chocolates vs Happy Joe's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Investment $177,534 - $937,415$24,470 - $1,030,625
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $40,000$15,000 - $17,000
Royalty Fee 5%4.5%-5%
Advertising Fee 1%1.5%
Year Founded 19471972
Year Franchised 19821973
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee -10% of fee or $2K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Happy Joe's Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 173 hours Classroom Training: 43 hours Additional Training: Online training; store visits On-The-Job Training: 300 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 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)
    		 33% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 45

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    Happy Joe's Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    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.






    About Happy Joe's

    Lawrence Joseph Whitty had worked in the bakery business for years before becoming an assistant manager at a Shakey's pizzeria. He decided to combine his baking skills with the experience he had gained from working at a pizza restaurant, where he would often hear families decide to go out for ice cream for dessert. Combining pizza and ice cream, Whitty opened the first Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor in East Davenport, Iowa, in 1972. His signature item was the Happy Joe's Special, a pizza with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut that Whitty created from leftovers in his mother's kitchen. After a franchisee suggested adding tacos to the menu, Whitty created the restaurant's best-selling product, the Taco Pizza.

    Seeking new franchisees in the following regions/states:

     Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin

    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Full Size Restaurant or Happy Joe’s PizzaGrille Restaurant is $279,750 to $1,030,625. This includes $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s DELCO Facility is $164,500 to $423,000. This includes the $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Satellite ranges from $24,470 to $132,340. This includes the $0 to $16,500 paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Area Developer business ranges from $17,625 to $94,100. This includes the development fee ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor.