Americans love chocolate, and nothing seems to be able to slow the desire for cocoa. The California Academy of Sciences notes that each American consumes a whopping 12 pounds of chocolate a year. As a result, there is still a ravenous market for premium chocolate treats and desserts. The success of sweet shop Kilwins in expanding its franchise network and attracting imitators is proof of the resounding market for effectively branded sweets.
The Kilwins brand currently serves customers with 90 stores in over 30 states. The company is eager to take on franchisees and is committed to expanding its brand across the country. Two additional franchise stores opened up within 10 days of each other this August. One store debuted in Milwaukee's Bayshore Mall and is Wisconsin's third Kilwins store. Likewise, visitors to the Boulder Run Shopping Center in Ridgewood, New Jersey will now be able to enjoy the full selection of chocolate and fudge the franchise has to offer, according to NJ.com.
Even more impressive than Kilwins' expansion is the number of sweet shops that follow in the franchise's wake. A small business owner in North Carolina recently told WilmingtonBiz that his new creamery location was set up to compete directly with a local Kilwins store. Another gourmet chocolate franchise, Hoffman's, is also planning to square off against Kilwins in Fort Lauderdale. The Sun-Sentinel notes that the new store's placement on busy Las Olas Boulevard was a move to cut into the same market flocking to Kilwins.
The presence of such direct competition in this market proves that the chocolate industry can easily sustain new players. Franchise brands that are able to separate themselves from the competition with innovative, memorable products are likely to succeed.