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]
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][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]
