Kona Ice Continues to Climb Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500® List
Gourmet Shaved Ice Truck Franchise Ranked #1 in the Frozen Desserts Category
January 13, 2016 // Franchising.com // FLORENCE, KY – Kona Ice announced today that it has been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2015 Franchise 500® list, considered the "best and most comprehensive franchise ranking" in the industry. Kona Ice has been rated number one in the “Frozen Desserts” category and 77th overall.
The prestigious award validates the progress the company has made in 2015. The brand has added more than 100 new units, bringing the total to 650 plus trucks on the road.
“We are extremely excited about our ranking,” said Tony Lamb, president and owner of Florence-based Kona Ice. "We plan to build on this momentum and focus on our growth, and that means forging new relationships and gaining presence in new markets, while empowering our existing franchisees with the tools they need to succeed."
To be eligible for the Franchise 500®, a franchisor must have a minimum of 10 units, with at least one in the United States. All companies, regardless of size, are judged by the same objective criteria, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of system, number of years a company has been in business, length of time it has been franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations, and financing options. These objective factors are plugged into the magazine’s exclusive Franchise 500® formula, with each eligible company receiving a cumulative score. The 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores make up the Franchise 500®.
Kona Ice offers communities throughout North America cool, sweet treats while providing local organizations, like schools, churches, youth sports leagues and many more a unique fundraising opportunity. Kona Ice franchisees establish strong partnerships with the community to help organizations fundraise for after school activities, uniforms, textbooks, field trips and more.
Entrepreneurially spirited individuals interested in owning a Kona Ice franchise should have the ability to invest between $114,125 to $129,425, which includes working capital and a typical franchise fee of $15,000. Plus, Kona Ice offers its owners financing programs for the purchase of trucks and the minis. Ideal franchise candidates are outgoing individuals, husbands and wives, fathers and sons, and other two-person teams who love the idea of serving the community.
To learn more about Kona Ice, visit: www.kona-ice.com.
For more information about available franchise opportunities, visit: www.ownakona.com.
About Kona Ice
A true community ally renowned for facilitating endless fundraising options, Kona Ice has given more than $28 million dollars back to neighborhood schools, organizations and teams since its inception in 2007. The brand's iconic truck offers customers a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring the opportunity to create their own Kona Ice on the self-serve Flavorwave™, while enjoying the soothing sights and sounds from the tropics. Currently, there are 600-plus franchise units in more than 45 states. For more information about booking Kona Ice for a fundraiser or event, visit www.kona-ice.com. To learn more about available franchise opportunities, visit www.ownakona.com or call (800) KONAICE.
SOURCE Kona Ice
Media Contact:
Allyson Otey
Public Relations Associate
Office: 847-897-7496
Cell: 614-565-6073
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