Kilwins

Kilwins, also known as Kilwins Chocolates, is an American company, specializing in confectioneries such as candy, ice cream, and fudge. In 1947, Katy and Don Kilwin opened the first location in Petoskey, Michigan and the company is still headquartered there to this day.[3] There are over 140 locations in the United States, across 25 states.[1]

Kilwins
TypePrivately held company
IndustryConfectionery production
FoundedPetoskey, Michigan (1947)
FounderDon & Katy Kilwin
Headquarters
Petoskey, Michigan
,
United States
Number of locations
146[1]
Area served
United States
Key people
Don McCarty, CEO [2]
ProductsChocolates, ice cream
Websitekilwins.com

History
A Kilwins in Madison, Wisconsin

Kilwin's was founded in 1947 as "Kilwin's Candies and Gifts" by Don and Katy Kilwin in Petoskey. The company began as a mom-and-pop bakery and candy operation, and the next year expanded to making fudge in-house.[4] They sold off the bakery portion of their business in 1971 so that they could concentrate on candy production. In 1976, a second branch was opened in Traverse City, Michigan by Jim Szocinski, who first worked for the company in 1961.[5]

The company was sold to Wayne and Lorene Rose in 1978, and three years later, they began to franchise.[6] In 1995, the company was purchased by Don and Robin McCarty.[4] By 2007, the couple had expanded the business to more than 60 locations.[4]

As of November 2020, there are over 140 franchisee-owned stores nationwide in 25 states.[1] About half of these locations are in popular tourist destinations, such as near resorts and at beaches.[7][8] The company owns select franchises located across the country, however the vast majority of locations are independently operated and are not owned by the corporation.[9] The company is currently in the process of selling more franchises and expanding the number of company–owned locations across the country.[10][11]

Entrepreneur magazine lists Kilwins in the top 100 of its Franchise 500 Rankings.[12]

Production

The company is best known for chocolates, fudge, and ice cream, but also makes other sweets including barks, brittles, candies, clusters, taffy, truffles, and chocolate-covered pretzels, Oreos, and Rice Krispies.[13][14] The stores allow customers to watch staff produce the confectioneries.[15][16] The company uses marble tables, which cools the fudge from the bottom.[17] Ice cream is produced at the company's main facility in Petoskey.[8][18] Kilwin's has been described by some as 'old fashioned sweets'.[19] In 2018, Kilwins was one of the food vendors for Lollapalooza.[20]

Philanthropy

Kilwins' owners, Don and Robin McCarty, helped found the grassroots organization South Africa Medical Expedition (SAME), which helps South African orphans, women and families in Limpopo Province, Keyalani Village. The focus is on impoverished or HIV/AIDS infected children.[21]

References
  1. "Locations". Kilwin’s. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  2. "Kilwins' Taylor Frye happy as a kid in a candy store CEO". Community News. Community News Service. November 29, 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. "Kilwins Chocolates Franchise Inc". Entrepreneur.com. Entrepreneur. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  4. "Candy making ban may be lifted". baltimoresun.com. 2007-09-09. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  5. "Newsmakers". Traverse City Record-Eagle. February 17, 1977. p. 23.
  6. "Our History and Timeline". Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  7. Porta, Sharon (November 25, 2005). "Kilwin's Makes Mayden voyage into Indiana". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved July 12, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Walters, Kevin (April 17, 2014). "Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen coming to downtown Franklin". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. Martinez, Shandra. "Kilwins Chocolate shop in downtown Grand Rapids may reopen". MLive. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  10. "Kilwins Chocolates Franchise Inc". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  11. "Franchise Opportunities". Kilwins Franchise. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  12. "Our Franchise 500 List: the Definitive Ranking of 2018's Strongest Franchises". Entrepreneur. January 11, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  13. "Kilwin's Comes To South Beach (And Today Is 2-For-1 Waffle Cone Wednesday!)". miaminewtimes.com. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  14. Silverman, Alexa (June 28, 2018). "Kilwins is what ice cream dreams are made of". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  15. Harris, Patricia; Lyon, David. Food Lovers' Guide to Rhode Island (1st ed.). Morris Book Publishing. p. 225.
  16. McMillan, Susan (August 6, 2008). "Shop owner offers sweet spot downtown". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved July 12, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Kilwin's of Gettysburg candy shop opens today". The Gettysburg Times. April 16, 1993. Retrieved July 12, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. Hinke, Veronica (July 7, 2016). "Inside Scoop: 5 Flavorful Reasons to Scream for Ice Cream". Chicago Tribune.
  19. "Tango's back, Halsted Street's closed, Le Chocolat opens second store". Chicago Tribune. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  20. "Lollapalooza Announces Over 35 Food Vendors". NBC Chicago. NBC Chicago. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  21. "Robin and Don McCarty: The blessing of being able to give back". petoskeynews.com. 2009-12-28. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
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