Chocolate Museum

Diveinto Chocolate Museum is a Croatian brand developed by the team behind Muzej Čokolade Zagreb, the first interactive chocolate museum in Croatia. The main site, located in the historic centre of Zagreb, was opened in 2020 and quickly became one of the city’s key edutainment destinations, attracting school groups, tourists and local visitors. The museum combines sensory experience with educational content, presenting the cultural, historical and technological journey of chocolate from ancient civilizations to modern production. The space is divided into thematically arranged zones featuring artefacts, multimedia, guided tasting sessions and a curated gift shop offering local and international chocolate products.

The franchise was launched under the name Diveinto Chocolate Museum in response to interest from entrepreneurs and institutions seeking to replicate the concept in other European cities. The brand operates within the broader experience economy, targeting locations with developed tourism infrastructure, urban school networks and indoor leisure demand. Although the original location remains the operational headquarters, the company is now actively seeking partners to open licensed branches in other EU countries.

At present, Diveinto Chocolate Museum does not operate outside Croatia, which means franchisees will be the first to enter their markets with an exclusive, protected territory. The franchisor offers flexibility in local adaptation, allowing content to be translated and elements of the exhibition to be customized to regional context, under its supervision. The target visitor profile includes children and families, individual tourists, organised school groups and team-building events.

Franchise offer and financial requirements

Diveinto Chocolate Museum is available in a full-service franchise model. The franchisor provides the exhibition concept, licensed narrative, operational training, business and marketing guidance, and architectural consultation. The initial franchise fee is €25,000, granting rights to use the brand, layout and licensed materials. The total estimated investment ranges from €120,000 to €250,000, depending on the condition and location of the chosen premises. The cost covers exhibition design, equipment, adaptation works, and launch marketing. Royalties are charged monthly at a rate of 6 percent of gross revenue.

The recommended exhibition area is 250 to 400 square meters. A separate welcome zone, shop and tasting area must be included. The location should be in a central urban area with high pedestrian traffic, preferably near tourist attractions, museums, or within walking distance of public transport. The building should meet basic infrastructure standards (electricity, heating, ventilation) and allow for adaptation into an open-layout, indoor cultural space. Ground-floor locations with street-level access are preferred, but upper-floor venues in cultural buildings or shopping centres are also acceptable.

The expected return on investment, based on the Zagreb location and feasibility studies in similar cities, is estimated at 3 to 4 years. The franchisor provides detailed financial projections and benchmarks during the application process. Franchisees are responsible for day-to-day management, staff recruitment, marketing implementation and maintaining operational standards. The franchisor retains control over brand image, content integrity and pricing policies.

Application process and candidate profile

To apply for the franchise, interested candidates must submit an application through the official Diveinto Chocolate Museum website. After the initial contact, the franchisor conducts an introductory call and sends an information package. The next steps include business model presentation, territory analysis, evaluation of the proposed site and, if approved, the signing of the franchise agreement. The implementation phase includes architectural support, exhibition setup, recruitment and training, followed by the official opening. The onboarding process typically lasts between 4 to 6 months.

The franchise is open to individual entrepreneurs, family investors, or existing companies in the tourism, leisure or cultural industries. A business background is preferred, but not required. What matters is a strong local network, access to capital and a hands-on approach to management. The model may be particularly attractive to operators of children's museums, science centres, private schools, or entities managing public-private tourism projects.

Diveinto Chocolate Museum is currently seeking franchisees in markets such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Spain, the Baltics and Scandinavia. As of 2025, there are no international branches outside Croatia, offering a first-mover advantage to new partners. All franchisees receive exclusive rights for their agreed territory.