Sweet treats are deeply rooted in American culture. Chocolate and candies can be a great gift, comfort food, or part of holidays and festivities like Halloween and Valentine’s Day. As a result, the confectionery industry seems immune to the roller coaster of the economy. Even during the lockdown, people continued to seek out sweet treats. The candy industry also adapts to new requests such as lower sugar and sugar-free chocolates and demand for ethically sourced cocoa and other ingredients.
The chocolate and candy market is segmented, which allows franchisees to appeal to different audiences. There are plenty of customers waiting out there for the creative franchisee to satisfy their craving for sweets. We have chosen for you 20 top franchises that offer various confections from classic fine chocolates to exotic Brazilian treats.
1. Kilwins Chocolates
- Founded: 1947
- Franchising since: 1982
- Initial investment: $423,251 – $790,207
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $125,000
Kilwins Chocolates sells hand-crafted chocolates, fudge, ice cream, and other confections using original recipes. The stores are located in high traffic areas such as tourist attractions, downtown areas, high-end lifestyle centers.
The franchise has a single store, multi-store, area development opportunities. The franchisor is looking for individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit, passionate about providing the best customer service, and ready to be personally engaged in the store operation. The qualifying candidates will receive pre-opening and post-opening support, including training and marketing support.
2. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Founded: 1997
- Franchising since: 2006
- Initial investment: $392,875 – $545,475
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $600,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
Nothing Bundt Cakes specialty is gift cakes: from single-serving size Bundtlets to big birthday and anniversary cakes. The franchise bakeries use proprietary recipes and imaginative decorations.
The ideal candidates have marketing or business management experience and are ready to follow a proven system. Baking or restaurant experience is not necessary.
3. River Street Sweets
- Founded: 1973
- Franchising since: 2015
- Initial investment: $399,800 – $814,850
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
River Street Sweets offers handmade Southern sweets, including pralines, chocolates, caramel apples, salty taffies; some stores also sell ice cream and gelato. The franchisor will provide comprehensive training on making candies and management, operational manuals, and on-site assistance.
4. Wetzel's Pretzels
- Founded: 1994
- Franchising since: 1996
- Initial investment: $164,950 – $405,850
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $60,000
Wetzel's Pretzels specializes in pretzels, frozen lemonade, and a frozen Italian dessert called granita. The franchise stores can be found in shopping malls, stadiums, airports. The business model is easy to operate and has extensive ongoing support from the franchisor. All franchisees will attend training programs about operations, customer service, sales & marketing.
5. Peterbrooke Chocolatier
- Founded: 1983
- Franchising since: 2006
- Initial investment: $212,750 – $333,500
- Initial franchise fee: $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $150,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
The main product focus of Peterbrooke Chocolatier stores is European-styled fine chocolates and Italian gelato. The franchisor provides multi-unit and area developer opportunities at exclusive territories. The franchise owners will be fully supported, starting from site selection and building process to marketing support.
6. The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe
- Founded: 1961
- Franchising since: 1977
- Initial investment: $164,518 – $542,738
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $80,000
New York-born franchise Häagen-Dazs Shop sells branded frozen desserts: ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet in more than 50 countries. The franchise shops must be located in a storefront, mall, or strip center.
The franchisor provides training, online tools for franchisees, and marketing support. The candidate must be committed to provide exceptional customer experience and be a team player.
7. Rocket Fizz
- Founded: 2009
- Franchising since: 2010
- Initial investment: $126,400 – $307,500
- Initial franchise fee: $54,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $10,000
Rocket Fizz is a soda pop and candy shop with an old-fashioned atmosphere.
The franchisor has a comprehensive support system for franchisees, so prior experience in retail is not required. The support includes training, real estate selection and build-out guidance, vendor purchasing discounts, marketing assistance, and ongoing support.
8. Pretzelmaker
- Founded: 1991
- Franchising since: 1992
- Initial investment: $205,200 – $327,000
- Initial franchise fee: $15,000 - $25,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 7%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Pretzelmaker has over 30 years of experience in making hand-twisted pretzels and pretzel dogs. The franchise menu also includes snacks, fresh lemonade, and cold beverages. Traditional and non-traditional store types are available. The franchisor offers both single and multi-unit opportunities. The franchise owners must have strong leadership and customer service skills.
9. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
- Founded: 1981
- Franchising since: 1982
- Initial investment: $191,288 – $363,016
- Initial franchise fee: $24,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $50,000
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a manufacturer and retail store franchise of premium chocolate candies and other gourmet confectionery items. The franchisor has full store and kiosk concepts that can be found in high traffic areas including but not limited to malls, street fronts, airports. In addition to extensive training, ongoing operation support, the support team will provide location selection and marketing assistance.
10. Oh My Gosh Brigadeiros
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2015
- Initial investment: $102,500 – $307,150
- Initial franchise fee: $29,900
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $59,900
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $59,900
Oh My Gosh Brigadeiros was founded by a Rio de Janeiro-native American-Brazilian entrepreneur. The franchise menu has its roots in Brazilian cuisine and offers traditional Brazilian brigadeiro, desserts and candies, cappuccino, hot chocolate.
11. Denny's
- Founded: 1953
- Franchising since:1963
- Initial investment: $228,000 – $2,546,075
- Initial franchise fee: $10,000 - $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee:4.5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $500,000
Denny's restaurants open 24\7 every day of the year. The franchise offers a wide range of food from breakfast to dinner and various desserts. For 60 years in business, that concept acquired many loyal customers.
For franchisees, the company offers an industry-leading support system.
12. Schakolad Chocolate Factory
- Founded: 1995
- Franchising since: 1999
- Initial investment: $121,500 – $153,500
- Initial franchise fee: $39,500
- Ongoing royalty fee: $600-$1K/mo.
- Net-Worth Requirement: $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $75,000
The franchise name is a combination of Edgar Schaked's surname and chocolate. Schakolad Chocolate Factory stores are typically 1,200-1,600 sq. ft. and sell handmade chocolates, truffles, sugar-free and low carb chocolates, boxed assortments, as well as corporate gifts and promotional items. The franchisees will have several revenue streams: retail, corporate clients and hotels, parties and weddings. The franchisor will train and provide owners with the necessary tools for successful business operation.
13. Schwietert's Cones & Candy
- Founded: 1985
- Franchising since: 2014
- Initial investment: $564,500 – $888,000
- Initial franchise fee: $50,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $750,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
Schwietert's Cones & Candy is a retail franchise. The franchise stores sell various candies, including homemade chocolate and ice cream, fudge, caramel corn, cotton candy, and more. The franchisor provides a proven business model, comprehensive training and support. The franchisor is looking for task-oriented and hard-working candidates.
14. SMOOSH
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2018
- Initial investment: $176,850 – $374,000
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
SMOOSH focused on ice cream treats, including its hit ice cream sandwiches, sundaes, milkshakes, floats. The franchise has mobile and facility location concepts. All franchisees will have personal training, comprehensive support, and operational guidance. The candidates must have strong sales and customer service skills.
15. Papalani Gelato
- Founded: 2008
- Franchising since: 2013
- Initial investment: $100,000
- Net-Worth Requirement: $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
Papalani Gelato is a family-owned franchise that specializes in handmade Hawaiian-style gelato and gelato-related items, chocolates, and coffees. The franchise locations use local organic ingredients.
16. Creamistry
- Founded: 2013
- Franchising since: 2014
- Initial investment: $224,500 – $576,500
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $300,000
Creamistry is a liquid nitrogen ice cream franchise. The franchise shops use natural and organic ingredients for made-to-order ice creams and vegan sorbets. Corporate trainers will provide necessary knowledge about ice cream and store management. The franchisor will also provide support before and after the opening.
17. Woops!
- Founded: 2012
- Franchising since: 2012
- Initial investment: $197,727
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
Woops! franchise location sells authentic French macarons, pastries from cuisines from all over the world, coffee and tea. For franchisees, there are two options available: a kiosk and a bakeshop store. Regardless of the chosen concept, the franchisor will provide back-office business operations training and equipment operation training that will vary for kiosk and bakeshop franchisees. No baking experience is required, but it is recommended for candidates to have managerial experience.
18. Goose Feathers
- Founded: 1986
- Franchising since: 2017
- Initial investment: $224,500 – $576,500
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
- Net-Worth Requirement: $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $300,000
Goose Feathers is a café & bakery franchise. The franchise menu offers breakfast items, pastry, sandwiches, soups, and coffee. Besides initial training, franchise owners will have monthly webinar classes. The franchisor will provide all needed support from day one, including inventory selection and employee training.
19. Scooped Cookie Dough Bar
- Founded: 2017
- Franchising since:
- Initial investment: $60,000 – $150,000
- Initial franchise fee: $29,900
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $59,600
Scooped Cookie Dough Bar is an alternative for ice cream that provides raw cookie dough with toppings. To ensure it is safe to eat, franchise stores use pasteurized eggs and heat-treated flour.
The franchisor will provide multi-phase training that covers all aspects of operation, skills, and expertise needed for business to thrive.
20. Smallcakes
- Founded: 2008
- Franchising since: 2008
- Initial investment: $70,000 – $120,000
- Initial franchise fee: $30,000
- Ongoing royalty fee: 3%
Smallcakes sells cupcakes and cupcake infused ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn, and candies. The franchise stores require a small footprint and minimum employees. The franchisor offers single and multi-unit opportunities alongside large protected territories. Franchisees will benefit from training, comprehensive specifications, operating manuals, procedures, business management systems, and extended support.
