Start a Kona Ice Franchise

Your next paycheck, the way you work, or even the very existence of your job has been in the control of someone else. Or maybe you’ve dreamed of starting your own business and being your own boss, but felt like the timing was out of your hands.

Kona Ice offers a fresh concept, in-house financing, and strong corporate support to help you take back control of your work life and make your life work for you.

With Kona Ice, you can take the leap into entrepreneurship with the safety net of the world’s largest food truck business in the world and the business named #1 in Franchisee Satisfaction by Franchise Business Review 8 years in a row.

Over the last thirteen years, we’ve received a lot of awards—but the one we’re most proud of is our Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review. We’ve made the top ranks over the last eight years and in the last few years, we’ve had the distinct honor of coming in at #1 overall.

So you may be knee deep in the franchising process with tons of questions, but we have just one for you. Why not Kona Ice?

REASONS WHY KONA ICE IS DIFFERENT

• Proprietary Nutritional Product: Through Kreations Flavoring, we provide a product that meets all of the federal nutritional standards for schools.
• Ancillary Equipment: You can customize your business model with the four additional products we offer – the Kona Kiosk, the Kona Mini, the Kona Trailer and the KEV 2.0.
• Digital Marketing Campaigns: With a combination of Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram and national PR, we’ve got you covered on the web.
• Unmatched Corporate Support: You want proof? Highest in franchisee satisfaction with two different agencies since we’ve started. Hear it from our franchisees with testimonials on our website.
• Established Brand: With twelve years in the industry and representation all across the country, and even internationally, Kona Ice is a well-developed and respected brand.
• Extremely Quick Startup: We’ll have you up and running in 30-60 days, guaranteed.
• Fixed Royalty: No penalties for succeeding.
• Incredibly Low Overhead: Approximately 6% food cost in an industry with an average of 32%.
• Community Involvement: With over $80 million given back, our communities have embraced us as the best fundraising tool around.
• Product Innovation: With our brand new Kona Krafted line of flavors, we’re constantly following flavor trends to create new flavors to introduce to the shaved ice world.

CORPORATE SUPPORT & MARKETING

At Kona Ice, we believe you should go into business for yourself, but not by yourself.

QUICK & EASY STARTUP

We pride ourselves on our franchising process. When you decide you want to start your own business, we understand that you don’t want to wait years to make that dream a reality. We can guarantee that we’ll have you in business, generating revenue within 30-60 days of your deposit.

The Kona Experience is not just for our customers. We strive to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our franchisees too. And that all begins at Kona Kollege.

KONA KOLLEGE

Your Kona Ice journey begins with an all expense paid trip to the training program at the Kona Ice Corporate Headquarters.

You’ll meet your support staff and gain firsthand knowledge in the following:

• Marketing strategies from our corporate marketing team.
• Day-to-day operations from one of the largest franchises, which is housed at corporate.
• Initial setup of your business & digital marketing.
• No holds barred Q&A with the owner & CEO, Tony Lamb.
• Hands-on training on your brand new Kona Ice truck, including a test drive on our safety course.
• One-on-one training and advice from several veteran franchisees

You’ll graduate from Kona Kollege with a 30 day plan that will have you primed and ready for success.

On top of your startup plan, you will be set up for multiple follow up calls throughout your first year to ensure a smooth and successful start to your business!

MARKETING

Kona Ice has a full time marketing team of graphic designers, digital marketers, copywriters and videographers that create content for Google AdWords campaigns, Facebook campaigns and Instagram campaigns.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on these marketing campaigns that are designed solely to make the franchisee’s phone ring and fill up their inbox.

You focus on building your contact database, as corporate provides:

• Professionally designed email advertising to targeted markets.
• Slick and creative direct mail and leave-behind materials to close sales.
• Kona-branded giveaways and merchandise to promote the brand.
• Individual mini websites for franchisees as part of our Find A Kona feature.
• Social media assistance accompanied by posts and yearly campaigns.
• Corporate website that speaks to all areas of the Kona business.
• Location-based searching to direct customers to local operators.
• Dedicated web developers who manage website SEO & a massive national Google Ads campaign.
• Corporate run social media contests & campaigns to promote brand awareness and engage your customers.

I think the vision Tony has for Kona is very exciting. So it allows us on a local level to really promote a brand that we believe in. —Linnea Weikleenget, Franchisee in Jackson, MS

KONOLOGY: The Business of Shaved Ice

We place a great deal of our time and resources on the continuing education of our franchisees. If every franchisee had the same information as our most successful franchisee, then everyone has the potential to succeed.

WE COVER TOPICS SUCH AS:

ADDITIONAL KONA SUPPORT

• Annual Kona Konvention.
• Veteran franchisee coaching & mentoring.
• Online forum where franchisees share ideas & techniques.
• On demand support for day to day operations.
• Custom signage for your KEV.
• Dedicated PR company to get you local press.
• Video tutorials.
• In-house podcasts.
• Monthly webinars.
• The Kona Konnect: a monthly newsletter sent out to franchisees from corporate.
• The KnowledgeBase: an online forum of aggregated information for franchisees.

BUSINESS MODEL

We sell shaved ice, but that’s not what we’re all about.

Company-wide, we’ve given back and raised over $80 million dollars to communities and organizations all across the country since our inception in 2007. It’s more a part of who we are than any other aspect of our brand. It is how we operate.

To put it simply, giving back is who we are, selling the world’s most incredible shaved ice is what we do.

One of the best things about Kona Ice is that the business model is simple. The brand works for you, not the other way around. Our goal at corporate is to make your Kona Ice experience as enjoyable and stress-free as eating a cup of shaved ice!

MEET THE KEV: The Kona Entertainment Vehicle
Having built over 1,300 of these wonderful trucks, Kona Ice has perfected the KEV. This state-of-the-art truck is literally a mobile billboard for your business—it sells itself!

• Drives in anywhere, anytime, fully equipped to serve thousands per day.
• Patented Flavorwave for self-serve flavor dispensing.
• Choose from an endless variety of exotic flavor combinations.
• Tropical music rocks from the BOSE enhanced sound system.
• First mobile food truck to be completely NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) approved.

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT: Year Round Opportunities
We’re not just a shaved ice truck—we have units of every size for any venue.

Once you own a Kona truck, you will have access to:

• The Kona Mini: The most popular ancillary unit is a smaller, more agile version of the KEV. It’s designed for indoor events and smaller outdoor venues. It’s a low-risk, high-reward investment that can truly make your business last all year.
• The Kona Kiosk: The Kona Kiosk hit the streets in 2015 and has been a huge success. Perfect for semi-permanent venues or large events, the Kona Kiosk can serve the same amount of people as the truck. It’s smaller than a truck, but it has the same visibility and could be the perfect supplement to your Kona business.
• The Kona Trailer: Sometimes you only need the back half of the KEV—and that’s exactly what you’ll get with the Kona Trailer. It’s perfect for large venues where you’ll be established for the majority of your season.
• The KEV 2.0: The newest addition to our Kona ancillary family has been the KEV 2.0. It’s a smaller, more agile version of the main Kona truck. It’s great for when you want to expand in your area, but want to keep the mobility of the truck!

INCREDIBLY LOW OVERHEAD

PATENTED FLAVORWAVE

Everyone’s favorite feature of the Kona Ice truck is the ability to load up on flavors to their heart’s content.

In a day and age where self-serve dessert is all the rage, Kona has taken that step for the mobile shaved ice industry with our patented Flavorwave.

PROTECTED TERRITORY

• Large, protected territories.
• No forced expansion.
• Territory assigned by zip code(s).
• Promotes working partnerships with neighboring franchisees.

ONE OF A KIND EXPERIENCE

Kona doesn’t just sell gourmet shaved ice, it brings an unforgettable experience that appeals to the kid in all of us!

With Kona, I have put more smiles on kid’s faces and received more genuine thank you’s in 8 months than I ever did in my 25 years in the consumer electronic business. —Cheri Wells, Franchisee in Ventura, CA

KONA GIVES BACK

Ever wonder if you’re making a difference?

With Kona Ice, you’ll see it happening right before your very eyes. With over $80 million dollars given back to local communities all across the country, Kona Ice is defined by our community involvement. Because we’re a mobile franchise, this allows you to be directly involved in your community at every touch point.

PROVEN SUCCESS

Ranked the #1 New Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2013 and Highest in Franchisee Satisfaction from 2014-2019 by Franchise Business Review, Kona Ice’s reputation is proclaimed as being one of the most innovative brands and “be your own boss” businesses around.

In fact, we’ve made the Fastest Growing list the past six years. Kona Ice is thriving all across the map—from New Hampshire to California. And as of 2014, it’s been proven to work in three international markets as well. And in addition to that, roughly 75% of franchisees are purchasing a second unit within the first two years.

KREATIONS FLAVORING: A Proprietary Nutritious Product

Who knew shaved ice could be healthy? Kona Ice is redefining dessert, by creating a nutritious and delicious treat. Our constant innovation puts us on a pathway to success.

The food and beverage industry is becoming exceedingly harder to excel in with the nutrition standards that have been put in place. The innovative and progressive spirit that our company was founded on continues in our search to provide a healthy option for our customers.

Through our sister company, Kreations Flavoring, we have worked with flavor scientists to procure a completely proprietary product.

From the nutritious base, filled with vitamins and sweetened with all-natural Stevia, to the completely proprietary flavor line we’ve developed that surpasses all other flavors currently available in the market, we believe we have the healthiest and most delicious shaved ice option around!

Because we develop our own products, we’re constantly creating new flavors that can only be found with Kona Ice and discovering ways to make our product better for our customers.

• Sweetened with all-natural Stevia and pure cane sugar.
• Reduced sugar and calories.
• Gluten free, fat free, nut free, dairy free, cholesterol free, soy free, no GMO’s, no high fructose corn syrup, no lactose and Kosher-certified.
• A Smart Snack Approved product called Fruit First: contains real fruit as the first ingredient and has 70% less sugar than a regular sno cone.
• Vitamin-fortified flavors with our VitaBlend product (Stevia + vitamins C & D).
• Sugar-free and dye-free flavors available.

KONA KRAFTED

In 2017, we unveiled our brand new Kona Krafted flavor line. With flavors that were specifically developed to cater to a more adult audience, we’ve been able to expand segments of the business like never before.

Upon conducting market research, we determined this set of flavors would be our new Krafted flavors: Coconut Lime, Aprium Rosé Sangria, Wildberry Honey, Tamarind, Rose Petal Lemonade, Pineapple Sunrise, Bourbon Black Cherry Vanilla, Blackberry Mojito, Lavender Lemonade and Passion Fruit. You’ll want to try them all!

INVESTMENT & FINANCING

LOW COST INVESTMENT

• $15,000 – $30,000 cost investment
• Fixed royalty—a fraction of industry standard
• No paralyzing build out costs

We have pre-arranged financing with a sister company in place specifically for Kona Ice, giving you the opportunity to expand at your own pace.

Kona Ice is the fastest growing mobile franchise in the country. Meeting or exceeding most expectations, franchisee satisfaction is through the roof! Don’t miss this opportunity!

What Our Franchisees Are Saying:

We’ve been awarded top in Franchisee Satisfaction, but don’t take it from us, see what our franchisees are actually saying on our Testimonials tab. Request more information below now to hear over 50 franchisee testimonials. We bet you’ll find someone just like you!