
Kona Ice
Shaved-ice trucks- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#47 Ranked #73 last year
- Initial investment
-
$150K - $189K
- Units as of 2023
-
1,512 15.9% over 3 years
Shaved ice is an ice treat that adults and children alike may enjoy indulging in all summer long. Kona Ice took the shaved ice concept and ran with it by introducing flavorful blends unique to the company, complete with mobile units.
Tony Lamb founded Kona Ice in 2007, beginning to franchise the following year. Kona Ice is a mobile shaved ice company that has arguably grown to be one of the United States' most well-known food franchises. The concept behind the shaved ice mobile truck is to provide the perfect texture of shaved ice in delicious flavors to parties, events, fundraisers, and any other location their ice trucks can reach.
There are over 1,300 Kona Ice franchises located throughout the United States to go along with multiple locations in Canada.
Why You May Want to Start a Kona Ice Franchise
Owning a Kona Ice franchise calls for a potential franchisee looking to run a business that will give them flexibility. With this franchise, you may get to dictate your working hours and enjoy the mobility and flexibility that comes with it. If you love to interact with people and have a fun, easy-going nature, then a Kona Ice franchise may be the right fit for you.
Opening a Kona Ice franchise may offer a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand that could struggle to thrive in an already crowded and competitive industry.
Kona Ice has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 many times since its inception. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
What Might Make a Kona Ice Franchise a Good Choice?
It is crucial to note that opening a Kona Ice franchise may serve as an excellent opportunity for franchisees who may not qualify for other high-investment ventures. The franchisor claims that its startup figures are quite affordable, and they strive to make it easier for you by including a full setup Kona Ice truck that is NSF-approved.
Once approved for a Kona Ice franchise, new franchisees will receive a multi-day all-expenses-paid trip to the Kona Ice headquarters in Florence, Kentucky for training. At Kona Kollege, franchisees will learn the ins and outs of running a Kona Ice franchise. A typical franchise agreement runs for ten years. Franchisees may be allowed to renew their agreement if they meet the company's requirements.
How To Open a Kona Ice Franchise
Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the Kona Ice franchising team any questions you might have.
To be part of the Kona Ice team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
Company Overview
About Kona Ice
More from Kona Ice
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a Kona Ice franchise.
Have you ever wondered what the largest food truck company in the world looks like? Or how the largest food truck company in the world has ranked #1 in franchisee satisfaction by the Franchise Business Review 9 years in a row? It looks a little bit like this:
- A company of passionate, hardworking-employees dedicated to the Kona Ice brand day in and day out.
- A brand that is designed to be good, do good, for good.
- A business that supports and ranks #1 for culture, women, veterans, and more.
- A recession-proof business model that thrives during any economic season.
If you’ve dreamed of starting your own business and are looking to find an established company that’s fun, innovative, and dedicated to you, then look no further.
Tony Lamb founded Kona Ice in 2007, beginning to franchise the following year. The concept behind the shaved ice mobile truck is to provide the perfect texture of shaved ice in delicious flavors to parties, events, fundraisers, and any other location their ice trucks can reach.

There are over 1,500 Kona Ice franchises located throughout the United States to go along with multiple locations in Canada.
Why You May Want to Start a Kona Ice Franchise
Owning a Kona Ice franchise calls for a potential franchisee looking to run a business that will give them flexibility. With this franchise, you may get to dictate your working hours and enjoy the mobility and flexibility that comes with it. If you love to interact with people and have a fun, easy-going nature, then a Kona Ice franchise may be the right fit for you.
Opening a Kona Ice franchise may offer a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand that could struggle to thrive in an already crowded and competitive industry.

Kona Ice has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 many times since its inception. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
What Might Make a Kona Ice Franchise a Good Choice?
It is crucial to note that opening a Kona Ice franchise may serve as an excellent opportunity for franchisees who may not qualify for other high-investment ventures. The franchisor claims that its startup figures are quite affordable, and they strive to make it easier for you by including a full setup Kona Ice truck that is NSF-approved.
Once approved for a Kona Ice franchise, new franchisees will receive a multi-day all-expenses-paid trip to the Kona Ice headquarters in Florence, Kentucky for an immersive training experience. At Kona Kollege, franchisees will learn the ins and outs of running a Kona Ice franchise. A typical franchise agreement runs for ten years. Franchisees may be allowed to renew their agreement if they meet the company's requirements.

How To Open a Kona Ice Franchise
Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the Kona Ice franchising team any questions you might have.
To be part of the Kona Ice team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
Business Overview
- Franchising Since
- 2008 (15 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 120
- Where seeking
-
This company is offering new franchisees in the following US states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
This company is offering new franchisees in the following international regions: Canada, Mexico
- # of Units
- 1,512 (as of 2023)
Information for Franchisees
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a Kona Ice franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here’s what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $15,000
- Initial Investment
- $149,995 - $189,300
- Net Worth Requirement
- $20,000
- Cash Requirement
- $20,000
- Royalty Fee
- $3K-$4K/yr.
- Ad Royalty Fee
- $500/yr.
- Term of Agreement
- 10 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- Third Party Financing
- Kona Ice has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- Classroom Training
- 30 hours
- Ongoing Support
-
NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsGrand OpeningSecurity & Safety ProceduresLease NegotiationField OperationsProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
-
Co-op AdvertisingAd TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail Marketing
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- No
- Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
- Yes
- Can this franchise be run part time?
- Yes
- Are exclusive territories available?
- Yes
Request free information
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Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Kona Ice landed on this year’s Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Kona Ice ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #47 in 2023
Franchise 500 Ranking
Ranked #37 in 2022
Fastest-Growing Franchises
Ranked #196 in 2022
Top Global Franchises
Ranked #33 in 2022
Fastest-Growing Franchises (U.S. & Canada)
Ranked #1 in Miscellaneous Frozen Desserts in 2021
Best of the Best
Ranked #1 in Miscellaneous Frozen Desserts in 2022
Top Food Franchises
Ranked #1 in 2023
#1 in Frozen Desserts: Miscellaneous Category
Ranked #13 in 2022
Homebased Ranking
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