Kona Ice
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food truck, Franchise |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Tony Lamb |
| Headquarters | Florence, Kentucky , United States |
Key people | Tony Lamb (CEO) |
| Products | Shaved ice |
Number of employees | Over 1,000 franchise units (as of March 2015) |
Kona Ice is a privately owned mobile shaved ice enterprise established by Tony Lamb in 2007. The company's main office is located in Florence, Kentucky, where Lamb holds the position of CEO. It has earned recognition as one of the fastest expanding franchise brands in the United States. The brand's mascot features an animated penguin named Kona.
History
In 2007, Tony Lamb launched Kona Ice with the goal of enhancing the traditional ice cream truck model, creating five prototype vehicles within that first year. The franchise system was initiated in 2008. By October 2012, Kona Ice released the Kona Mini, a compact truck tailored for indoor shaved ice sales during colder seasons. The company gained placement on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list in 2013 and was distinguished as a leading new franchise along with ranking as the 27th fastest growing franchise nationwide.
In 2014, Kona Ice collaborated with Northern Kentucky University to establish an internship program. Beginning in April 2015, the company also partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has contributed $25 million to various community groups since its founding. That year, TheStreet.com recognized it as one of the top eight franchises in the U.S.
In July 2025, a franchise operator based in Florida encountered public criticism after providing catering services at the Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center, which led to an official apology issued by the company on social media platforms.
Operations
The corporate headquarters of Kona Ice is situated in Florence, Kentucky. As of March 2015, the brand managed more than 1,000 franchise units spread across 43 states in the U.S. as well as Canada. Customers have the option to personalize their shaved ice through the patented Flavorwave system integrated into each truck. Kona Ice products are formulated with 60% less sugar compared to standard snow cones and are available at select locations made entirely with 100% fruit juice.