Schroeder has Nostalgic Ties to the Premium Confectionery and Ice Cream Franchise
Kilwins, a premium confectionery and ice cream franchise, has named Kelli Schroeder chief development officer. Schroeder has 15-plus years of franchise development leadership experience with Wellbiz Brands, SUCCESS Space, Brinker International and Threshold Brands. She also is a multi-unit franchise owner with Miracle Method Surface Refinishing.
Schroeder has been a fan of Kilwins since she was a child visiting a local shop multiple times throughout the summers she spent with her grandparents in North Carolina. “I have my own nostalgic memories with the brand, so it is personal and special,” she said. “Despite changing ownership to private equity in the last few years, Kilwins has managed to hang onto its founder roots and heritage, which is almost 90 years old. I’m excited to bring the magic of Kilwins to all of the U.S. Beyond the Eastern Seaboard, you can now find stores popping up as far west as Texas, and we will soon launch in new markets like Arizona and Utah. The potential for growth is exponential.”
She said Kilwins is rolling out a lighter-asset, smaller-footprint model called Kilwins Select. “The Kilwins Select model will have 80% of our products that can be found in our traditional Kilwins prototype, so customers can still enjoy the smells and sights from down the street, like our alluring waffle cones being made.”
Schroeder said working across multiple verticals in the franchising space — food, water, fitness, beauty, coworking and home services — has been the greatest gift and teacher for her. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to sit on both the franchisor and franchisee sides of the table.”
Brian Britton, president and CEO of Kilwins, said Schroeder’s franchise development experience makes her the ideal person for this role. “She understands how to build high-performing teams, open new markets and support entrepreneurs through every stage of the ownership journey. We are thrilled to welcome her as we thoughtfully expand Kilwins into more communities while protecting the magic our guests and franchise owners have valued for generations,” Britton said.
Schroeder said she leads her team with openness and compassion. At home, she hopes to instill entrepreneurialism in her young daughter. “I want her to grow up seeing that she can be a business owner herself one day if she chooses that path. Hopefully through franchising!”
About Kilwins
Founded in 1947, Kilwins is renowned for its hand-crafted chocolates, fudge, caramel apples, brittle and super-premium ice cream. Guests can watch fudge being paddled on a marble table and caramel cooking in a copper kettle in an open kitchen setting at all of the brand’s 190-plus locations nationwide.
