Anyone who grew up in America remembers the sound of an ice cream truck coming to their neighborhood as a child, and begging their parents for money before running out the door to catch the truck before it pulls away. Kona Ice takes this great pastime of ice-cream-truck catching and adds a Hawaiian twist - instead of ice cream, they are selling shave ice from the street.
Shave ice is a treat that originated in Japan. When first-generation Japanese immigrated to Hawaii, they brought the icy treat with them, and it remains a hit on the island state to this day. Shave ice is different from snow cones in that the ice is shaved rather than crushed, allowing the flavor that is added to stick to the ice and producing a better flavor.
Kona Ice founder Tony Lamb's innovation was to recognize that the treat would be popular all over the United States and not just in Hawaii. By combining the treat and its possibilities with the ice cream truck concept, he had a hit on his hands. In case you were wondering, he started the franchise from Northern Kentucky.
Adding a new truck every three days, the Kona Ice franchise is catching on quickly. The company adds much needed flair to the ice cream truck industry, which has been staid for many years. Kona Ice trucks are colorful, with tiki-inspired designs along with fun (and loud) music blaring from the truck to announce to kids everywhere that Kona Ice has come to their neighborhood!
The franchise has invested into its brand image, with a colorful and exciting website, along with merchandise and a community "giveback" program that returns money to schools and organizations that are served by Kona Ice trucks. It is an impressive package. Entrepreneurs who are looking for a well-branded turnkey business will find this close to a dream come true.
Kona Ice trucks serve events, of course, and come in various flavors. Ice cream is apparently available as an add-on. Customer reviews online are generally positive, with most reporting tasty flavor and satisfied children. A few hardcore shave ice fans deemed it inauthentic, but in a mobile truck what really is? Even taco trucks cannot really hold a candle to the real deal. Kona Ice is as close as you can get to the Hawaiian treat from your own front yard.
Oh, and there is a penguin named Kona plastered on every truck. He is cute and lovable, and he comes with a crabby crab sidekick.
Notes: Kona Ice franchise is available for a $15,000 franchise fee, and the company offers financing options for potential franchisees. The franchise is vulnerable to seasonal changes, as shave ice is less popular in the winter. A "Kona Mini" pushcart station is also available to better serve indoor venues. Kona Ice was founded in 2007.
