Kona Ice Brings a One-of-a-Kind Experience to Residents in Albuquerque

“Prior to owning my own Kona Ice truck, I served as a manager of Kona Ice,” said Frankie Gutierrez. “I’ve enjoyed my experience with the brand and I am so happy to be able to continue Kona Ice’s tradition of giving back to local organizations.”

Kona Ice’s escape from the ordinary begins as the sounds of tropical calypso music fills the air at each event and group gathering. The fun continues as all in attendance get their overflowing cups of freshly shaved ice and then help themselves to any of the ten tastes on the truck’s Flavorwave™, Kona’s innovative self-service dispensing system that allows for full customization. Guests also have the option to choose from the additional 20-plus flavors and 500 different combinations offered.

Dedicated to making a difference in local areas, Kona Ice continues to be committed to philanthropy in the communities it serves, raising more than $100 million in total donations nationwide since 2007. Gutierrez is continuing the world’s largest food truck franchise’s tradition of donating thousands of dollars each year to the local community. Gutierrez pledges to give back a percentage of the proceeds from events at schools, churches, youth sporting leagues and non-profit organizations.

“Frankie shares our commitment to giving back,” said Tony Lamb, founder and president of Florence, Ky.-based Kona Ice. “He has always been very passionate about his community and wants to have a positive influence in the community, whether it’s new text books, sports uniforms or, simply, a smile. We are proud to have him on-board. Together, we are excited to make a difference in the lives of those around us.”

Beyond fundraisers, popular spots for the food truck franchise include stops throughout Albuquerque at fairs, festivals and corporate events.

Founded in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice launched its first Kona Entertainment Vehicle (KEV) in Florence, Kentucky, offering a unique combination of cleanliness, friendliness, and a one-of-a-kind experience, featuring the opportunity to create your very own shaved ice on the self-serve Flavorwave™, while enjoying the soothing sights and sounds from the tropics, all while giving back to each and every community Kona Ice serves. Since inception, Kona Ice has given back more than $100 million back to neighborhood schools, organizations and teams. Today, Kona Ice has grown to more than 1,400 mobile units that serve 49 states across the country.

Kona Ice has been named one of the top eight franchises in the United States by TheStreet.com, ranked on Entrepreneur’s “Fastest-Growing” franchises list multiple years in a row and has earned many other nationwide, industry and local awards. For more on Kona Ice, visit the brand’s online Newsroom and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news.

It's time for a fresh start. Join Kona Ice today! We're a low-investment, fast-growing business with over 1,500 franchises in the last 12 years. And we've continued to rank #1 in franchisee satisfaction for the last 9 years...enough said!