Candy Bouquet International

Candy Bouquet International was founded in 1989 by Margaret McEntire, who began crafting floral-style arrangements made of gourmet candies and chocolates in her Little Rock, Arkansas garage. The company incorporated and began franchising in 1993, offering an unusually accessible model — low franchise fees, no royalties, and the flexibility to operate from a storefront, kiosk, or home — and grew into what was billed as the largest candy franchise in the world, at its peak claiming more than 800 locations across all fifty states and dozens of countries, with repeated appearances in Entrepreneur's franchise rankings. Ownership changed hands in 2011, when franchisees Jim and Janet Wheeler purchased the franchisor, and the company's public communications largely went quiet in the years that followed.

While some franchise directories continue to describe Candy Bouquet as an available opportunity, the current scale and status of its franchising program are unclear, and prospective buyers should verify directly with the company before relying on any listing. This page is maintained primarily for historical and research reference. Readers exploring current opportunities may want to browse our retail and gift franchise listings for active alternatives.