Marble Slab Creamery vs Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Investment $316,085 - $409,135$177,534 - $937,415
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $25,000$20,000 - $40,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 2%1%
Year Founded 19831947
Year Franchised 19841982
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee 20% of current fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates 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/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24.5 hours Classroom Training: 32.5 hours On-The-Job Training: 173 hours Classroom Training: 43 hours Additional Training: Online training; store visits
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing
    Operations 65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% 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

     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Marble Slab Creamery

    Founded in 1983, the family-owned, Houston-based Marble Slab Creamery offers homemade, super premium ice cream that's prepared to order on a marble slab, using a variety of mix-ins. With flavors like Sweet Cream, Chocolate Swiss, Cheesecake and Amaretto, more than 100 franchisees nationwide are tempting customers with their exotic flavors served in freshly-baked waffle cones. The stores also sell smoothies, shakes, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream cakes and pies. Some franchisees even offer homemade baked goods such as cookies, brownies and apple pie, as well as gourmet coffees.

    Seeking new franchisees in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Philippines, South America and Western Europe     

    Veteran Incentives  25% off first-store franchise fee
    "Top
    #116 in Canada's Top franchises.                         

    "Entrepreneur
    #311 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    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.