Kilwin's Chocolates vs Hickory River Smokehouse
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Kilwin's Chocolates and Hickory River Smokehouse are full-service restaurants franchises. Kilwin's Chocolates requires an investment of $513K – $880K while Hickory River Smokehouse requires $315K – $1.1M. In terms of revenue, Hickory River Smokehouse reports higher average unit revenue at $1.8M. Kilwin's Chocolates has SBA lending data on file with a 8.3% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Kilwin's Chocolates A (Strongest tier) and Hickory River Smokehouse B (Above average).
| Metric | Kilwin's Chocolates | Hickory River Smokehouse |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | AStrongest tierStrongest tier | BAbove averageAbove average |
| Investment Range | $513K – $880K | $315K – $1.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $40K | $30K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $933KOutlet subset | $1.8M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 8.3% (25 loans) | Limited data |
| Total Units | 172 | 5 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +9 units | +0 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 1981 | 2003 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$513K – $880K
$315K – $1.1M
Franchise Fee
$40K
$30K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$933KOutlet subset
$1.8M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
8.3% (25 loans)
Limited data
Total Units
172
5
Unit Growth (YoY)
+9 units
+0 units
Year Began Franchising
1981
2003
FDD Year
2025
2026