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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Kona Ice Franchise

Kona Ice is a mobile shaved ice franchise founded in 2007 in Florence, Kentucky, where the company remains headquartered under its founder-CEO. The brand’s core product is shaved ice served from the Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV), a purpose-built mobile truck with the patented Flavorwave® self-serve flavor dispensing system. Customers select from more than 70 proprietary Kreations® flavors, including Fruit First, Vita-Blend, sugar-free, and Kona Blended smoothie options.

Franchising began in 2008, and the system has grown to a network of over 1,600 US locations. Franchisees operate the KEV alongside ancillary units including the Kona Mini, Kona Kiosk, and Kona Trailer, extending the business into indoor venues and large events year-round. No commercial lease is required; the mobile model and a fixed royalty structure keep overhead well below typical food franchise levels.

Kona Ice operates under the Roll Brands umbrella, which also includes Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck and Beverly Ann’s Cookie Truck. The Giveback program, which shares event revenue with local schools, sports teams, and nonprofits, has returned over $250 million to communities nationally, making community partnership a structural part of the business model.

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Why buy a Kona Ice Franchise?

Kona Ice has built strong brand recognition in the US mobile food market through more than 15 years in the sector and consistent, independently measured franchisee satisfaction. The Giveback program creates genuine client stickiness: schools, youth leagues, and nonprofits that partner with a Kona Ice franchisee for fundraising tend to return season after season, building a recurring event calendar that carries real value in a resale.

The ownership model is designed for low overhead. No commercial lease, a fixed royalty structure (not a percentage of revenue), and food costs running around 6% against an industry average of 32% all support stronger unit economics. Ancillary equipment options including the Kona Mini, Kiosk, and Trailer extend the business into indoor and year-round markets, and the fixed zip-code territory model protects existing franchisee relationships.

Kona Ice Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2007

    • Franchising Since

      2008

    • New Startup Cost

      $178,856 – $226,841

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $15,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $7,500

      or $10,000 + $1,000 per additional equipment

    • Royalty Fee

      $3,000 – $5,000

      Increases over time

    • Marketing Fee

      $500

      per Year, plus $200 per year for each piece of additional equipment

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      1820

    • New Units Opened *

      182

    • Units Transferred *

      94

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Kona Ice – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Franchisees attend Roll Brands University, an all-expenses-paid program covering 14 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of hands-on truck training. Ongoing support includes certifications, the annual Kona Konvention, and a proprietary business management platform for event scheduling, customer management, and performance reporting. The 125+ member corporate team provides in-house marketing support including Google Ads campaigns, social media content, and bi-weekly eBlasts alongside equipment and operations specialists. Buyers of a resale Kona Ice unit should confirm what onboarding and platform access transfer when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Kona Ice franchisee is community-oriented and comfortable building relationships with schools, sports teams, event organizers, and local nonprofits. Most revenue comes from proactively scheduling the truck at recurring events, so outgoing operators who excel at local outreach and relationship management are the best fit. No prior foodservice experience is required; operations are straightforward and suited to a single-person unit. The model suits both owner-operators running one or two trucks and growth-focused buyers aiming to expand across their territory.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Kona Ice has been inducted into the Franchise Business Review Hall of Fame, having earned FBR’s annual Franchisee Satisfaction Award every year since 2014. In 2026, the brand received FBR’s Top 200 Franchise, Top Franchises for Women, Franchisee Excellence, and Top Culture awards. FBR has also recognised the brand for Most Innovative, Top Food, Top Franchises for Veterans, Top Recession Resistant, and Franchise Rock Star in 2024 and 2025. Kona Ice has appeared on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list for over ten consecutive years, and 97% of franchisees surveyed by FBR in July 2025 said they would recommend the brand.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US frozen desserts market was valued at approximately $21.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach nearly $49 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.6% (Grand View Research). Consumer demand for customizable, lower-calorie options and the growth of mobile food concepts support the category. Kona Ice revenue comes primarily from recurring event bookings at schools, sports leagues, festivals, and corporate gatherings, making local event activity and warm-weather seasonality key factors for any unit. Resale buyers should review a unit’s existing event calendar and school relationships as indicators of predictable, recurring demand.

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