Start Your Kilwins Adventure
A Kilwins franchise is an opportunity to build something meaningful with your family by your side at every step. Kilwins was founded in 1947 by Katy and Don Kilwin, a married couple who grew their business together and built a brand that’s expanded across the nation and continues to thrive today. Whether exploring our business opportunities with siblings, parents, couples, or close friends, Kilwins offers flexible ways to bring our unique and attractive brand to your community. We provide a proven business model, in-depth training, and ongoing guidance so you and your loved ones can focus on connecting with guests, sharing joy, and growing your business.
Kilwins is a natural fit for family ownership because our brand brings people together, as it has for generations. Guests of all ages are drawn to our Original Recipe ice cream, hand-crafted chocolates, and other treats perfected over decades. Operating a Kilwins location allows families to cultivate a warm, inviting atmosphere that becomes a part of the community itself, where every visit offers the chance to strengthen bonds while carrying forward a legacy built on passion, care, and quality.
A Family-Friendly Business With Lasting Appeal
Families and community are at the heart of everything we do at Kilwins. Our menu is crafted to appeal to all guests, from kids discovering their first scoop of super-premium ice cream to adults, families, and tourists enjoying our wide array of deliciously crafted caramel, taffy, nut brittle, and other sweet offerings. Seasonal flavors, limited-time treats, and gift offerings give guests plenty of reasons to return, while our focus on quality and presentation ensures every visit feels special. Whether it’s the sweet aroma of fresh waffle cones or watching our fudge being traditionally hand-paddled right in front of them, our shops have long remained a destination for guests to create lasting memories and enjoy their time together.
Running a Kilwins franchise as a family also allows owners to fully immerse themselves in the day-to-day experience, from greeting guests to sharing in the excitement of each visit. Even if you don’t have prior experience in foodservice or business ownership, our established systems, strong supply chain relationships, comprehensive training, and ongoing support give you and your family the confidence to deliver the full Kilwins experience to every visitor. We guide you every step of the way so your locations operate smoothly, guests enjoy the same high-quality products and service they expect, and your family can build a truly rewarding and enjoyable venture.
Build Your Family-Owned Kilwins Franchise Today
When you take the leap with a Kilwins franchise, you’re stepping into more than a business opportunity. You’re joining a legacy where family, fun, and pride of business ownership meet every day. It’s about carving out your own space, learning with our full support and guidance, and seeing the smiles on guests’ faces while you run a business that’s exciting, hands-on, and truly yours. From opening the doors in the morning to closing up at night, families share the rhythm, the energy, and the satisfaction of building something lasting together while being part of a brand that continues to evolve, inspire, and make every visit feel like a celebration.
Bring a Kilwins location to your community and create a business experience that your family can share every day. Visit our franchise site to explore available opportunities, learn how our proven systems and ongoing support make single and multi-unit franchising approachable, and see how Kilwins helps motivated entrepreneurs manage and grow their locations with confidence.
When you’re ready to get started, simply fill out our inquiry form to connect with our team, get answers to your questions, and take the first step toward turning your Kilwins vision into a reality.