Serial Entrepreneur Launches Kona Ice in Downtown Las Vegas

Randy, a seasoned entrepreneur, is no stranger to running his own business. With a background that spans everything from mobile devices to food trucks, he has now recognized another promising venture in Kona Ice, the shaved ice truck franchise. Inspired by the resilience and growth of the Kona Ice brand, Randy is set to serve up shaved ice to the local community of Downtown Las Vegas with plans to grow the business further in the area.

1851 Franchise spoke with Randy to learn more about his background, why he chose Kona Ice and his plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Randy: I’ve been working for myself for 15 years, most recently in the mobile devices and cellular industry, distributing parts and phones to big brands and repair facilities. But during COVID, the business collapsed, and by June, I started looking for another business model. That’s when I found Kona Ice.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Randy: Franchising was something I struggled with at first because I had been working for myself for so long. I was used to running my own operations and setting my own guidelines. When I was deciding on my next business venture, I initially thought I’d create my own brand.

Then Kona Ice kind of fell into my lap. I had to ask myself, did I want to be part of a franchise where I’d follow someone else’s guidelines? At the time, I was building out a water retail station, and as part of that process, I was considering adding items like snow cones or ice cream for customers to buy while they refilled their water.

I looked into Mr. Softee because I had some food truck experience with hot dog carts. That’s when Kona Ice popped up on my radar and I started exploring their model.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Randy: I reached out to 20 or 30 franchisees, and all of them had nothing bad to say about the brand, which is rare. I met some local franchisees in person, and they were all positive about their experience. When I looked deeper into the franchise model and the history of Kona Ice, it all made sense. The brand is proven, unlike some others.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Randy: We’re going to expand to another location, and my long-term goal is to really grow the business here. The idea is to eventually get a warehouse and possibly group up with other franchisees in the area.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Randy: The biggest issue with a food truck is the health department. Rules can vary depending on where you are, so make sure you look into that first because they control when you can be open. Also, think about your expansion plans from the beginning — talk to other franchisees about their growth and think carefully about your territory.

In addition, Kona was named to the Franchise Business Review Top 200 list in the overall “Top 50” and “Enterprise” categories. Other accolades include being named a “Top 100 Most Innovative Franchise” by Franchise Business Review and a “Top Franchise for Veterans.” With a commitment to giving back, Kona Ice has donated over $180 million to communities nationwide.