Kilwin's Chocolates vs South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Investment $177,534 - $937,415$85,700 - $676,460
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $40,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19471991
Year Franchised 19821997
Term Of Agreement 10 years4 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years4 years
Renewal Fee -$150


Business Experience Requirements
 
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Experience -
  • Overall qualifications considered; no specific experience is necessary
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 173 hours Classroom Training: 43 hours Additional Training: Online training; store visits Ongoing (monthly visits)
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    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)
    		 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 20

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 South Bend Chocolate Company

    Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the South Bend Chocolate Company got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, South Bend Chocolate Company also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country.
    South Bend Chocolate Company franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Caf'ites and Caf'xpress coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of the Kiosk model ranges from $85,700 to $111,005, and for the Cafe Model range from $340,552 to $676,460.
    For the Kiosk model, this includes $55,000 to $57,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate, and for the Café model includes $57,000 to $61,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.