Kona Ice

Kona Ice
Private
Founded 2007
Founder Tony Lamb
Website www.kona-ice.com

Kona Ice is a mobile, Hawaiian-style shaved ice franchise based in Florence, Kentucky.[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]

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] Following the internship, the company donated $2,000 to the university's Department of Marketing, Economics and Sports Business.[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 600 franchise locations in 43 states.[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]

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 4 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. 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. 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.
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