A.J. Chocolate House Launches Franchising Campaign

Less than three years after opening its first U.S. location on Winter Park’s famed Park Avenue, A.J. Chocolate House is officially launching a franchising campaign in June, aiming to bring its European-style chocolate café concept to walkable downtowns and destination districts throughout Florida, the Southeast and potentially across North America.

Husband and wife co-owners Edwin and Katherine Jablonskas opened the company’s first U.S. flagship in Winter Park in August 2023 in a 2,400-square-foot café at the corner of Park Avenue and Fairbanks Avenue. Their second U.S. location opened in 2025 in a 1,000-square-foot space on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach.

A.J. Chocolate House has experienced approximately 40 percent year-over-year growth from combined retail restaurant sales and wholesale business, according to Katherine Jablonskas. The cafés also have gained widespread recognition in Central Florida’s lifestyle media as destination spots for date nights and special occasions.

Franchising campaign launch

“We didn’t think we would franchise this quickly,” they said. “What prompted us to go for it was an overwhelming response from customers, colleagues, even someone on our own staff who approached us, wanting to invest in the business. We realized this was more than just a café. We created something very scalable, very approachable and very different from what currently exists in the American coffee space.”

The company recently partnered with West Palm Beach-based Accurate Franchising to develop a franchise program and marketing platform, targeting entrepreneurs, owner-operators and hospitality-focused investors, helping build the operational and growth strategy needed for a scalable franchise system.

The franchise model was intentionally designed as simple to operate while maintaining the elevated atmosphere that defines the brand. Chocolates, cakes and desserts are supplied using imported Belgian chocolate crafted through the company’s established European network. Signature Italian coffee, packaging and operational systems are centralized, while menu offerings including salads, sandwiches and charcuterie boards are designed for efficient preparation and cross-training among staff.

A.J. Chocolate House franchise opportunities focus primarily on intimate café spaces ranging from approximately 1,000 to 1,500 square feet.

“The Winter Park location is our beautiful showroom and an expensive business card,” Edwin Jablonskas said. “But our New Smyrna Beach café proves the accessibility of this concept. It’s smaller, incredibly charming and highly profitable.”

Franchise details and costs

The Initial franchise fee is $35,000. Startup costs should range between $300,000 and $750,000 depending on lease conditions, buildout or renovation requirements, furniture, fixtures, equipment, initial inventory and initial payroll. Franchisees will have flexibility to personalize artwork and décor while maintaining the signature ambiance and hospitality that define the brand. Royalty fees are set at six percent.

“We’re a lot different than coffee shops where everyone sits on laptops,” they said. “The younger generations especially are craving places where they can actually connect with each other. We’re creating cozy spaces where people slow down, enjoy coffee served in a real cup and saucer, share desserts, celebrate milestones and spend meaningful time together.”

The concept combines multiple revenue streams beyond café sales, including retail chocolate gifting, wholesale accounts, corporate gifting programs, wine and chocolate tastings, private events and seasonal holiday sales. The business model is not only a café. “It’s a boutique retail experience, a chocolate destination, a gathering place and a hospitality business all in one.”

The couple believes the concept is especially well-suited for walkable downtown districts and tourism-driven communities, particularly underserved smaller towns that lack upscale dessert cafés or European-style gathering spaces.

“Every town has a pizzeria,” Edwin Jablonskas said. “But very few have a warm, elevated chocolate café where people can enjoy world-class chocolate, exceptional coffee and conversation. We believe this concept fills a niche and can thrive in both large cities and small towns — as long as there’s walkability and community energy.”

While the AJ Chocolate House initial franchise focus is growth throughout Florida and the Southeast, inquiries already have emerged from seasonal visitors, including Canadian customers interested in bringing the concept north. “We also believe this model would do amazing in ski towns and resort communities like Jackson Hole or Park City. “The hot chocolate lines would be out the door.”

“We’re very excited about this next phase,” Katherine Jablonskas said. “This has always been a very joyful business to be part of. If you love people, community and creating memorable experiences, this can be an incredibly rewarding business.”