What Kona Ice does

Kona Ice is a privately held franchise company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Northern Kentucky that operates the largest mobile shaved ice network in the United States, with more than 2,500 Kona Entertainment Vehicles (KEVs) deployed across all 50 states. Each KEV is a self-contained, NSF-approved shaved ice truck featuring the patented Flavorwave system — a 10-spigot self-serve flavor dispensing platform protected by three US patents — and is supported by smaller Kiosk and Mini Cart formats for venues where a full-size truck is impractical. The product portfolio includes standard and specialty bases (Vita-Blend, Fruit First, Sugar Free with Splenda or Stevia), the Blended Smoothies line, Topz Sour Powder toppings, and licensed confections distributed through retail partners.

Kona Ice generates revenue primarily through franchise fees and royalties paid by independent franchisees who purchase and operate their own KEVs, supplemented by event catering fees, advertising revenue from local and national brands (via 46-inch digital monitors, custom cups, and pre-pay event sponsorship), and licensing royalties from the recently launched confections line with CandyRific and Hilco Sweets. The company serves a fragmented end-customer base across K-12 schools and PTAs (fundraisers, PBIS rewards, field days), corporate clients (employee appreciation, company picnics), sports organizations, churches, festivals, and private parties. Its "Be Good, Do Good, For Good" initiative has returned over $250 million to local communities since 2007, functioning as both marketing and a structural relationship-builder with school districts and event organizers. Operations are supported by Kona Kollege training, proprietary technology tools for franchisee growth, and the Island Rush mobile game for consumer engagement.

Name

Kona Ice

Legal name

Kona Ice

Website

https://www.kona-ice.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kona Ice is the largest mobile shaved ice franchise in the United States, operating 2,500+ patented Flavorwave-equipped trucks across all 50 states and serving schools, corporate clients, sports events, festivals, and private parties through independent franchisees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Food Services

NAICS

Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024)

akta.pro primary industry

Shaved Ice, Snow Cones & Italian Ice Shops (THAFAGAJ)

Keywords

• Mobile food franchise
• Shaved ice service
• Event catering
• Food truck franchise
• Frozen desserts

Headquarters

HQ city

Florence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise Fees and Royalty: Entrepreneurs purchase Kona Ice franchise rights and pay ongoing royalties to corporate headquarters. Each franchisee operates their own business from their KEV.
2. Event Catering Fees: Customers pay franchisees for shaved ice truck rental at events including schools, corporate events, weddings, festivals, and private parties. Pricing varies by franchise and location.
3. Advertising Revenue: Local and national brands advertise on Kona Ice trucks through digital monitors, custom cups, and pre-pay event sponsorship. Corporate headquarters coordinates advertising across the franchise network.
4. Licensing Royalties: Kona Ice extends brand into packaged goods through licensing partnerships with CandyRific and Hilco Sweets for confectionery products, receiving royalties on sales.
5. Blended Smoothies: Premium tropical fruit smoothies sold at participating locations as an add-on product line. Made with real fruit and no added sugar.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kona Ice operates the largest mobile shaved ice franchise in the United States with more than 2,500 self-contained Kona Entertainment Vehicles (KEVs) deployed across all 50 states. Franchisees deliver flavored shaved ice, tropical smoothies, and toppings to schools, corporate events, festivals, sports tournaments, churches, and private parties using KEVs, kiosks, and mini carts that feature the patented Flavorwave self-serve flavor dispensing system. The company also sells branded licensed confections, runs school fundraiser programs, PBIS rewards, ACEs teacher awards, and a mobile advertising platform.

Product overview

Kona Ice is a shaved ice food truck franchise operating the largest mobile food truck fleet in the world. The core offering is the KEV (Kona Entertainment Vehicle) - a self-contained shaved ice truck featuring the patented Flavorwave system for self-serve flavor mixing. The product portfolio includes multiple truck/kiosk/cart variants (KEV, Kiosk, Mini), shaved ice bases (standard, Vita-Blend, Fruit First, Sugar Free), the Blended Smoothies line, Topz Sour Powder toppings, and licensed confections. Supporting services include school fundraiser programs, PBIS rewards, ACEs teacher awards, and mobile advertising solutions. The company has expanded from its core mobile franchise into digital (Island Rush game app) and retail (confections line) products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kona Ice Blended™: Premium tropical fruit smoothies made with real fruit and no added sugar. Available in Mango, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, and Tropical Breeze flavors.
• Topz™

Products and services

• Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV) The flagship Kona Ice mobile food truck franchise unit featuring the patented Flavorwave self-serve flavor system with 10 spigots. The KEV is NSF-approved, fully self-contained requiring no external power, water, or machinery, and can serve 500+ guests per hour at events. Purchased and operated by independent franchisees who deliver shaved ice, smoothies, and toppings to events.
• Kona Ice Kiosk A space-friendly shaved ice kiosk that resembles the full KEV truck and features the patented Flavorwave system with 10 self-serve flavors. Includes a motorized top for easy setup at events. Operated by franchisees at venues where a full-size truck is not feasible.
• Kona Ice Mini A compact mobile food cart designed to fit indoors and in tight spaces, bringing the Kona Ice shaved ice experience to pools, gymnasiums, corporate offices, and small indoor venues. Operated by franchisees as the smallest equipment option in the fleet.
• Kona Ice Blended Smoothies Premium tropical fruit smoothies made with real fruit and no added sugar, artificial colors, preservatives, or GMOs. Available in Mango, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana, and Tropical Breeze flavors, with optional Energy Boost or Wellness Boost add-ons. Sold at participating franchise locations as an add-on product line to shaved ice.
• Topz Sour Powder Sour powder toppings for shaved ice available in Sour Blue Raspberry and Sour Cherry flavors, adding a tangy twist to Kona Ice treats. Sold as an add-on topping product at participating franchise trucks.
• Kona Ice Confections Licensed confectionery products including Kona Ice Gummy Heart Boxes and Kona Ice Popping Splash, featuring signature tropical flavors like Tiger's Blood, Blue Raspberry, and Pina Colada in gummies, lollipops, and popping candy formats. Manufactured and distributed through licensing partnerships with CandyRific and Hilco Sweets for retail sale.
• Island Rush Mobile Game An endless runner mobile game for iOS where players run across the island of Gooba Jooba, avoiding obstacles, collecting power-ups, and unlocking worlds. Players can win real-world rewards redeemable at Kona Ice trucks, integrating digital engagement with the physical franchise experience.
• Kona Ice Fundraiser Program A school and organization fundraising service in which Kona Ice franchise trucks attend events and donate a portion of proceeds to the host organization. Features an online Pre-Pay platform with Pay It Forward functionality that has been shown to drive a 30-40% increase in fundraiser sales compared to cash-only operations.
• PBIS Rewards Program A Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program for K-12 schools featuring monthly character traits, student award boards, digital materials, and complimentary Kona Ice recognition treats for students demonstrating positive behaviors. Operated as part of Kona Ice's school-focused giveback and engagement programming.
• ACEs Awards Program An Accomplished and Celebrated Educators (ACEs) awards program that recognizes teachers exhibiting positive character in their classrooms. Winners receive a $125 Kona Shop coupon, $25 Walmart gift card, merchandise, a certificate, and Hall of Fame posting. 60+ teachers were selected as winners in the 2024-2025 school year.
• Kona Ice Advertising Mobile advertising services including Digital Monitor Ads on 46-inch HD screens mounted on trucks, Custom Cup advertising acting as mobile billboards, and Pre-Pay Event Sponsorship for event organizers. Over 1,000 advertisers have used the Kona Ice advertising platform over a 13-year period. Corporate headquarters coordinates advertising campaigns across the franchise network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Schools see 30-40% increase in fundraiser sales with online pre-pay platform
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• CandyRificcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 December 2025Strategic licensing partnership to launch Kona Ice's first confections product line. CandyRific and Hilco Sweets manufacture and distribute Kona Ice branded candy products including gummies, lollipops, and popping candy featuring signature flavors like Tiger's Blood, Blue Raspberry, and Pina Colada. Products debuted December 26, 2025 for Valentine's Day 2026, with Kona Ice Popping Splash for Easter 2026.
• Hilco SweetscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 December 2025Licensing partnership with Hilco Sweets and CandyRific for manufacturing and distribution of Kona Ice confectionery products. Combines Hilco's manufacturing and distribution expertise with Kona Ice's brand recognition to extend brand into packaged retail candy.
• Discovery ChannelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 July 2025Shark Week 2025 sponsorship. Kona Ice served as one of over a dozen brand partners across food, travel, entertainment, and consumer product sectors. Included limited-edition product launches and promotional giveaways tied to the July 20-27 broadcast period.
• BrandgenuityflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 3 February 2025Exclusive licensing agency for Kona Ice. Brokered the confectionery licensing agreement with CandyRific and Hilco Sweets. Managing the development and rollout of the licensing program for retail products beyond mobile trucks.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tropical Sno: Tropical Sno is a shaved ice franchise operating primarily in the Midwest with a similar mobile/event-based business model. It competes directly with Kona for school fundraisers, festivals, and private events in shared geographies.
• Bahama Buck's: Bahama Buck's is a franchise specializing in shaved ice and smoothies with a tropical island theme closely paralleling Kona Ice. It is a direct peer in the shaved ice category with overlapping customer segments (events, schools, families) and a comparable franchise growth model.
• Pelican's SnoBalls: Pelican's SnoBalls is a franchised snow cone and shaved ice concept with multiple US locations. It is a direct competitor in the shaved ice/snow cone category with a similar event-based and storefront business model targeting schools, festivals, and private events.
• Mister Softee: Mister Softee is the iconic franchised ice cream truck operator in the Northeast US. It is a direct peer in mobile frozen dessert vending, sharing Kona's mobile-vending and event-channel business model and competing for the same impulse-treat customer occasion.
• Surf City Squeeze: Surf City Squeeze is a smoothie and shaved ice franchise operating in malls, amusement parks, and event venues. It is a direct peer in mobile/event-based frozen desserts, with particular overlap to Kona's Blended smoothie product line.

Broad incumbents

• Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen is a major national franchised ice cream and frozen treat chain. It is a broad incumbent in frozen desserts with established brand recognition, offering overlapping categories (Blizzards, ice cream cakes) and franchise infrastructure of comparable scale to Kona Ice.
• Jamba: Jamba is a national franchised smoothie chain. It overlaps with Kona's Blended smoothie line and provides a benchmark for smoothie franchise economics, customer experience design, and unit economics in event/retail formats.
• Good Humor-Breyers: Good Humor-Breyers is a Unilever-owned mass-market ice cream and frozen novelty brand. It is a broad incumbent in the packaged frozen treat category, representing the CPG competitor that Kona's emerging brand licensing (confections) increasingly intersects with.

Emerging players

• Sub Zero Ice Cream: Sub Zero Ice Cream is a franchise specializing in made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream. It targets similar event and family entertainment occasions as Kona Ice, representing an emerging experiential frozen dessert competitor.
• Frios Gourmet Pops: Frios is a smaller franchise of gourmet frozen pops with mobile and event-based distribution. It is an emerging player in the same frozen dessert category that targets similar events and customer segments as Kona Ice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/konaice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/KonaIceExperience
• Facebookfacebook.com/konaiceexperience
• Instagraminstagram.com/konaice
• TikToktiktok.com/@konaiceofficial

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kona Ice