Kona Ice
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007; 19 years ago (2007) |
| Founder | Tony Lamb |
| Headquarters | Florence, Kentucky, US |
Key people | Tony Lamb (CEO) |
| Website | kona-ice |
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.
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.[10] In May 2014, Kona Ice was named one of the top eight franchises in the United States by TheStreet.com.[11]
In July 2025, a Florida-based Kona Ice franchisee catered the Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center. The company apologized on social media in response to public backlash.[12][13]
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.[10][11][14] 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.[14][15]
References
- 1 2 Lisa Evans (April 14, 2014). "How Kona Ice Expanded Beyond Summer". Fast Company. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- 1 2 3 Tom Ramstetter. "A "Dream Team" of NKU Marketing Students Wows Kona Ice". Northern Kentucky University. Retrieved June 8, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- 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.
- 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.
- ↑ "Kona Ice". Entrepreneur. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "GRAND OPENING: Kona Ice Como". Columbia Daily Tribune. June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Kona Ice of McHenry County opens party room in Lake in the Hills". Northwest Herald. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Kona Ice Thinks Small to Achieve Big Winter Results". QSR. October 30, 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "DAIDAP Vows to Protect and Serve". Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- 1 2 Ruthie Robison (March 19, 2015). "Kona Ice is Vehicle to aid in 'treat'ing community groups". The Hattiesburg Post.
- 1 2 "Kona Ice to become new fixture at UGA sporting events". Athens Banner-Herald. May 30, 2014. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ Plasencia, Amanda (4 July 2025). "4 food truck companies respond to backlash for catering at 'Alligator Alcatraz'". NBC 6 South Florida.
- ↑ "Food trucks respond to viral video showing them entering Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center". CBS Miami. 3 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Sweet snow coming to the roads this summer". Daily Local News. Retrieved June 8, 2015.
- ↑ "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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