Overall costs for Kona Ice run anywhere from $145,600 to $164,100. See how the costs break down and what funding options might be right for your new venture into the franchise foray.
Estimated initial costs
Our cost estimates are accurate as of 2021 from Franchise Direct and include opening fees and expenses only. The location you choose for your Kona Ice franchise may result in higher or lower fees.
Franchise fees
Kona Ice franchise fees total around $15,000, which beats out the $37,000 average for the 200 largest franchises nationwide.
| Initial franchise fee |
$15,000 to $15,000 |
| Royalty |
$3,000 for years one and two, $3,500 for years three through six, $4,000 for years seven through ten. |
| Estimated total |
$15,000 to $15,000 |
Equipment fees
Equipment fees total $120,450 for Kona Ice. This is less than the $180,023 average for the top 200 franchises.
| Truck and installed equipment |
$119,850 to $119,850 |
| Computer system and hardware |
$200 to $1,000 |
| Estimated total |
$120,050 to $120,850 |
Real estate fees
Real estate will set you back $600 for Kona Ice, thought it's less than the average of $788,376 for the top 200 franchises.
| Real estate or truck storage |
$0 to $1,200 |
| Estimated total |
$0 to $1,200 |
Training fees
Kona Ice initial training costs total $850, which comes in under the nationwide average of $9,788.
| Training expenses |
$850 to $850 |
| Estimated total |
$850 to $850 |
Inventory costs
Initial inventory for Kona Ice shakes out to $5,750. This is less than the nationwide average of $53,119.
| Initial inventory |
$5,500 to $5,500 |
| Optional inventory |
$0 to $500 |
| Estimated total |
$5,500 to $6,000 |
Licenses and permits costs
Kona Ice initial licenses and permits will set you back $4,875. This comes out to less than $18,770 — the overall nationwide average.
| Tax, title and licensing of truck |
$2,000 to $6,000 |
| Permits and licenses |
$250 to $1,500 |
| Estimated total |
$2,250 to $7,500 |
Insurance costs
Initial insurance costs for Kona Ice run $825. This means you'll be paying less than the overall nationwide average of $6,311.
| Three months' KEV insurance |
$450 to $1,200 |
| Estimated total |
$450 to $1,200 |
Administrative fees
Kona Ice administrative fees total up to $1,750 — which comes in under the overall nationwide average of $6,761.
| KEV delivery |
$500 to $3,000 |
| Audit |
Cost of audit and any related accounting and legal expenses and related travel and administrative expenses (the franchisor estimates this cost to be between $1,000 and $10,000). |
| Estimated total |
$500 to $3,000 |
Other expenses
Miscellaneous expenses for Kona Ice total $4,750 — less than the nationwide average of $69,970.
| Three months' additional funds |
$1,000 to $8,500 |
| Estimated total |
$1,000 to $8,500 |
All costs were found using the 200 largest franchises nationwide using Franchise Direct's list of more than 300 franchises, and are accurate as of 2021.
How to finance
Since the estimated total for Kona Ice is on the more costly side, we recommend following these steps to get fully financed:
- Go to the Kona Ice franchising website and review its financial requirements, including cash-on-hand requirements.
- Reach out to Kona Ice about in-house financing for franchisees.
- If in-house financing isn't available, look for online loans, bank loans and SBA loans to help meet the $154,850 estimated opening costs.
- Compare lenders based on amounts, interest rates and what types of personal and business credit history they accept.
- Once you settle on a lender, gather all required documents, including account statements and assets.
- Apply for financing online or in person as required by the lender.
What types of financing is available?
You have several options when it comes to financing a Kona Ice — even if the cost is on the heavier side. What assets you have available will largely determine how much you need to borrow, and which option suits you best.
- Online loan. A number of online business lenders offer amounts up to $1 million, with some extending up to $5 million.
- Bank loan. Your personal credit will typically need to at least be good — 670 or higher — when it comes to getting a bank loan large enough to cover a significant portion of Kona Ice opening costs.
- SBA loan. While your personal credit score doesn't need to be as good to qualify for an SBA loan, they usually cost more than standard term loans from banks or online lenders.
Also check if Kona Ice franchise financing is available. You may be able to get some of the costs covered for less than you would with other traditional funding options.
Compare small business lenders
You may not need financing to cover the estimated $145,600. But if you need funds for other business ventures, select the loan amount, your time in business and revenue and your personal credit score to compare a selection of lenders.
How Kona Ice stacks up
Compare how Kona Ice holds up against two similarly sized franchises.
| Average Franchise fees |
$17,500 |
$15,000 |
$17,500 |
| Average Equipment fees |
$83,100 |
$120,450 |
$88,688 |
| Average Real estate fees |
$116,500 |
$600 |
$226,300 |
| Average Training fees |
$5,425 |
$850 |
NA |
| Average Inventory fees |
$4,500 |
$5,750 |
$12,369 |
| Average Marketing fees |
$7,500 |
NA |
$14,000 |
| Average Licenses and permits fees |
$1,750 |
$4,875 |
$6,390 |
| Average Insurance fees |
$1,500 |
$825 |
$4,000 |
| Average Admin fees |
$1,350 |
$1,750 |
$11,600 |
| Average Personnel fees |
$500 |
NA |
NA |
| Average Other fees |
$22,463 |
$4,750 |
$43,100 |
Bottom line
Kona Ice franchise costs run a total of $154,850. Before you decide to become a franchisee, compare the total costs against industry averages. And to learn more about financing
read our guide to franchise financing.
