Kona Ice Explained

Kona Ice
Type:Private
Founder:Tony Lamb
Hq Location:Florence, Kentucky, US
Key People:Tony Lamb (CEO)

Kona Ice is a privately held 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. In May 2014, Kona Ice was named one of the top eight franchises in the United States by TheStreet.com.[10]

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.[11] [10] [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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How Kona Ice Expanded Beyond Summer. Lisa Evans. Fast Company. April 14, 2014. June 8, 2015.
  2. Web site: A "Dream Team" of NKU Marketing Students Wows Kona Ice. Tom Ramstetter. June 8, 2015. Northern Kentucky University.
  3. Web site: Swartz Creek family brings relief to summer heat with new Kona Ice truck. Jeremy Allen. July 12, 2013. June 8, 2015. Michigan Live.
  4. Web site: Why Invest: Kona Ice Reinvents America's Iconic Ice Cream Truck to Become a No. 1 Franchise. Brian Bixler. April 1, 2013. June 8, 2015. Franchise Chatter.
  5. Web site: Kona Ice. Entrepreneur. June 8, 2015.
  6. Web site: GRAND OPENING: Kona Ice Como. Columbia Daily Tribune. June 29, 2013. June 8, 2015.
  7. Web site: Kona Ice of McHenry County opens party room in Lake in the Hills. October 27, 2014. June 8, 2015. Northwest Herald. May 11, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150511111115/http://www.nwherald.com/2014/10/27/kona-ice-of-mchenry-county-opens-party-room-in-lake-in-the-hills/asp0xrm/. dead.
  8. Web site: Kona Ice Thinks Small to Achieve Big Winter Results. October 30, 2012. June 8, 2015. QSR.
  9. Web site: DAIDAP Vows to Protect and Serve. June 8, 2015. Make-A-Wish Hawaii. July 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709040154/http://hawaii.wish.org/wishes/wish-stories/i-wish-to-be/daidap---police-wish. dead.
  10. Web site: Kona Ice to become new fixture at UGA sporting events. May 30, 2014. June 8, 2015. Athens Banner-Herald.
  11. News: Kona Ice is Vehicle to aid in 'treat'ing community groups. March 19, 2015. Ruthie Robison. The Hattiesburg Post.
  12. Web site: Sweet snow coming to the roads this summer. June 8, 2015. Daily Local News.
  13. Web site: Kona Ice of King of Prussia is a family affair on wheels. June 13, 2014. June 8, 2015. The Times Herald.

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