Kilwins has appointed franchise veteran Kelli Schroeder as chief development officer, adding an experienced development executive to its leadership team as the company pursues its next phase of growth. The Petoskey, Michigan-based confectionery brand said Schroeder will succeed Ron Galbreath, who has played a long-standing role in the company’s franchise development efforts.
Schroeder brings more than 15 years of franchise development experience to the position. Her background includes leadership roles at WellBiz Brands, Wingstop Restaurants International, Brinker International, and eXp World Holdings, and she has also operated as a multi-unit franchisee, giving her both franchisor and franchisee perspectives.
Kilwins Chief Executive Officer Brian Britton said Schroeder’s combination of development leadership and hands-on ownership experience made her a strong fit for the company’s plans. He said the brand intends to continue expanding while maintaining the traditions and customer experience that have defined Kilwins for decades.
Schroeder said the opportunity carries personal significance because of childhood memories associated with Kilwins visits in North Carolina. She said she hopes to help bring that same sense of warmth and nostalgia to additional communities as the brand grows its national footprint.
As franchise systems expand, maintaining consistent development guidance becomes increasingly important. Gorilla Dash helps operators centralize Knowledge Base resources, organize training and operational materials, and improve access to information across growing franchise networks, creating a more structured development process for both franchisors and franchisees.
The appointment reflects a broader trend among established franchise brands of investing in experienced development leadership as they prepare for continued expansion. For Kilwins, Schroeder’s arrival represents both a leadership transition and a signal that the company intends to pursue growth while preserving the nostalgic identity that has long distinguished the brand.
