Kona Ice
TypePrivate
Founded2007 (2007)
FounderTony Lamb
HeadquartersFlorence, Kentucky, United States
Websitewww.kona-ice.com

Kona Ice is a mobile shaved ice company.[1][2][3] The company was founded by Tony Lamb in 2007.[4] Lamb is Kona Ice's CEO.[2] It was named one of the fastest growing franchises in the United States.[4] The company's mascot is an animated penguin named Kona.

History

In 2007, Tony Lamb founded Kona Ice after deciding that he wanted to build a better ice cream truck.[4] By the end of the year, he had designed and produced five prototypes.[4] Kona Ice began franchising in 2008.[5] In October 2012, the company launched the Kona Mini, a smaller replica of the Kona Ice truck, to sell shaved ice indoors during winter months.[1][6][7][8] Kona Ice was recognized on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list in 2013.[4] The company was also named the top new franchise and rated the 27th fastest growing franchise in the United States.[4]

In 2014, Kona Ice partnered with Northern Kentucky University for an internship program.[2] In April 2015, Kona Ice partnered with Make-A-Wish Foundation.[9] The company has donated $25 million to community-based organizations since its foundation.[10] In May 2014, Kona Ice was named one of the top eight franchises in the United States by TheStreet.com.[11]

Operations

Kona Ice is headquartered in Florence, Kentucky.[3] As of March 2015, the company had more than 1000 franchise locations in 43 states and others across Canada.[10][11][12] Customers can customize their shaved ice with the Flavorwave, a patented flavor dispenser built into the side of the truck.[4] Kona Ice shaved ice contains 60 percent less sugar than regular sugar water snow cones and can be made of 100 percent fruit juice in participating locations.[12][13]

The minimum investment amount required to open a Kona Ice franchise is $149,995 and can go all the way up to $189,300.[14] The investor should also allocate additional funds to live off of while the Kona Ice business ramps up. This can take as little as 6 months to over 2 years depending on the franchise opportunity.

References

  1. 1 2 Lisa Evans (April 14, 2014). "How Kona Ice Expanded Beyond Summer". Fast Company. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Tom Ramstetter. "A "Dream Team" of NKU Marketing Students Wows Kona Ice". Northern Kentucky University. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Jeremy Allen (July 12, 2013). "Swartz Creek family brings relief to summer heat with new Kona Ice truck". Michigan Live. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Brian Bixler (April 1, 2013). "Why Invest: Kona Ice Reinvents America's Iconic Ice Cream Truck to Become a No. 1 Franchise". Franchise Chatter. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Kona Ice". Entrepreneur. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  6. ↑ "GRAND OPENING: Kona Ice Como". Columbia Daily Tribune. June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Kona Ice of McHenry County opens party room in Lake in the Hills". Northwest Herald. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Kona Ice Thinks Small to Achieve Big Winter Results". QSR. October 30, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ "DAIDAP Vows to Protect and Serve". Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Ruthie Robison (March 19, 2015). "Kona Ice is Vehicle to aid in 'treat'ing community groups". The Hattiesburg Post.
  11. 1 2 "Kona Ice to become new fixture at UGA sporting events". Athens Banner-Herald. May 30, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Sweet snow coming to the roads this summer". Daily Local News. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Kona Ice of King of Prussia is a family affair on wheels". The Times Herald. June 13, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Kona Ice". Vetted Biz. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
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