Kona Ice

Relive Your Childhood and Start a Thriving Business with a Kona Ice Franchise

Remember the joy of hearing that iconic ice cream truck chime as a kid? The anticipation of choosing your favorite flavor from a colorful menu was pure magic. Now, you can bring that childhood delight to life and build a successful business with a Kona Ice franchise.

What is Kona Ice?

Kona Ice, founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, is a leading shaved ice franchise with headquarters in Florence, Kentucky. Kona Ice's shaved ice is unique – it's finely shaved, not crushed or cubed like typical ice, allowing flavors to fully absorb for an incredible taste and texture. Made with fruit as the primary ingredient, Kona Ice meets USDA Smart Snack standards, making it a delicious and healthy treat.

Starting Your Kona Ice Franchise

Becoming a Kona Ice franchise owner is quick and easy. Forget years of planning – you'll receive hands-on training at Kona Kollege, a three-day, all-expenses-paid program, after you decide to join the Kona Ice family. You'll work with a corporate support team every step of the way.

To be considered, you'll need a net worth of at least $50,000 and liquid capital of at least $30,000.

Kona Ice Franchise Cost and Investment

Kona Ice offers a minimal initial investment, making it a budget-friendly franchise opportunity. You won't need to take out a second mortgage or drain your savings. The mobile nature of the business eliminates the need for a physical store, keeping overhead low and allowing you to bring the fun directly to customers.

The initial franchise fee is approximately $15,000, with the total investment (including equipment and inventory) ranging from $150,000 to $190,000. Here's a breakdown of the royalty fees:

Royalty Fees:

• Year one to two: $3,000
• Years three to six: $3,500
• Years seven to 10: $4,000

Protected Territories for Your Kona Ice Franchise

When you sign a franchise agreement with Kona Ice, you'll typically have exclusive rights to a territory with a population of up to 100,000 people. This means you have the freedom to operate your business without competition in your designated area, maximizing your potential for success.

Kona Ice Franchise Vehicle Options

Kona Ice offers a variety of vehicle options, from large trucks to compact trailers, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your business needs.

Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV)

The Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV) and its smaller version, the KEV 2.0, are more than just shaved ice trucks. They're packed with fun features like bright, colorful decals, head-turning chrome wheels, and a top-notch sound system. The music transports customers to a tropical paradise, complementing their delicious shaved ice experience.

Kona Mini

The Kona Mini is perfect for venues where the KEV is too large. It has all the same amenities as the KEV in a smaller size, allowing you to reach locations like pools, sporting events, and indoor venues. This flexibility is a key reason for high franchisee satisfaction.

Kona Kiosk

The Kona Kiosk is a great option when the KEV is too big, but the Kona Mini is too small. With its compact size and unique pop-up top, the Kona Kiosk can serve hundreds of customers per hour and features 10 flavor options.

Kona Trailer

The Kona Trailer has all the features of the KEV, without the truck body. Ideal for more permanent locations like zoos, amusement parks, and campgrounds, it offers the same customer capacity as the KEV at a lower price point.

The Flavorwave Experience: A Unique Selling Point

Kona Ice isn't your average food truck business. The patented Flavorwave is a major draw for customers. They can order from the window and then visit the self-serve station to customize their shaved ice with as many flavors as they like. This unique feature sets Kona Ice apart from other food franchise opportunities.

Shaved Ice Sizes and Options

Kona Ice offers a variety of shaved ice sizes to suit every customer's needs, whether it's a large gathering or a small group.

Size Options:

• Kiddie: 9 ounces, perfect for children or first-time Kona Ice customers
• Klassic: 12 ounces, a popular size for most customers
• King: 16 ounces, a larger size for those who love lots of shaved ice
• Kowabunga: 22 ounces, the largest size available
• Color-Changing: 17 ounces, a fun and colorful cup
• Kollectable: 22 ounces, a seasonal collector's item

Kona Ice: A Franchise That Gives Back

Since its inception in 2007, Kona Ice has raised over $100 million for local communities and organizations. With fundraising options like pre-paid Kona Cards and donations from sales, Kona Ice is dedicated to giving back.

Fundraising Programs:

• Schools
• Local Sports Teams
• Band Programs
• Cans for Kona: A canned food drive to support schools
• Kona Days: A fundraiser serving up to 500 kids per hour, held monthly or annually
• Team Up: Fundraising for sports teams
• Prepaid Kona Cards: A convenient and easy fundraising option

Kona Ice Franchisee Testimonials

Kona Ice franchisees consistently praise their experience. Here's what they say:

• 98% of franchisees “agree” or “strongly agree” that they respect their franchisor.
• 99% of franchisees said they are likely to invest in Kona Ice again and would recommend opening a franchise to others.
• 98% of franchisees said they enjoy being part of the organization and operating their business.

Start Your Kona Ice Journey Today

Kona Ice is the ideal franchise if you're looking for a business that brings joy to others, offers flexible location options, and prioritizes giving back to the community. Ready to make your childhood dream a reality?

To learn more about Kona Ice or other franchise opportunities, visit Entrepreneur's website.