Kilwin's Chocolates vs Smoothie Factory Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
Investment $177,534 - $937,415$141,500 - $424,500
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $40,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19471996
Year Franchised 19821997
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
Experience - * A 620 or higher credit score * Investment capital equal to 30% of the purchase price * $10-$15K of working capital

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

Training & Support
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 173 hours Classroom Training: 43 hours Additional Training: Online training; store visits -
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform-
Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing-
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)
-

Expansion Plans
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

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 Smoothie Factory

Smoothie Factory - A Fresh Concept in Franchising!
Smoothie Factory is a leader in today's growing $2 billion juice and smoothie bar industry. Founded by an Olympic athlete, Smoothie Factory meets the ever increasing demand for healthier options to traditional fast food. We believe in the simple concept of providing guests with reasonably priced smoothies, non-fat frozen yogurt and other healthy snacks served quickly in attractive, clean, pleasant surroundings every day. In addition to our great food product, our stores retail value priced dietary supplements enabling the franchisee to have multiple revenue sources under one roof. Smoothie Factory has established over 70 locations nationwide, along with international licenses in China and Vietnam, with a brand that has become recognized for excellence in service, product and value.
Smoothie Factory Franchise Opportunity.
Smoothie Factory's most impressive benefit, perhaps, is its desire to continually enhance its franchising system, interior design and image. The result has been a solid, unbroken track record of success, and a company poised for rapid expansion - an unparalleled blend of vision, product offerings and a franchise opportunity that's just right for forward-thinking entrepreneurs. In addition, an unwavering commitment to value on nutritional products continues to be an ingredient in our recipe for success. In fact, we sell nutritional products too, for less, every day, at 30%-50% off MSRP, making our franchise community a leader in nutritional product sales.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Store ranges from $257,000 to $365,700. This includes the $42,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Non-Traditional Store ranges from $141,500 to $305,000. This includes the $27,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory-RED MANGO Co-Branded Traditional Store ranges from $309,000 to $424,500. This includes the $47,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Non-Traditional Store Co-Branded with a Third-Party Concept ranges from $75,500 to $189,500. This includes the $20,000 to $27,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.