Community-Focused Entrepreneurs Bring Kona Ice to Southwest Florida

John and Sarah Urhahn's journey into franchising began in St. Louis, Missouri, where they dreamed of creating a family business that would allow them to serve their community. They wanted to involve their daughters in a meaningful, community-focused opportunity. After exploring various franchising opportunities without finding the right fit, they discovered Kona Ice through a family member. The brand’s emphasis on community involvement and high-quality, inclusive treats resonated with them, leading them to take a bold step: relocating to Southwest Florida to start their Kona Ice franchise.

The move from St. Louis to Southwest Florida was a significant change for the Urhahn’s, but they were driven by their vision of building a business that could make a positive impact. They were particularly drawn to Kona Ice's commitment to using fresh, healthy ingredients.

“We wanted something we wouldn't feel bad about giving to our own kids,” said John. “It's not like an ice cream truck full of sugar that could make someone gain weight. Snow cones made with vitamins and fruit-forward ingredients, which are kosher and have no artificial colors, made us feel good about what we are offering.”

Once they were settled in Southwest Florida, the Urhahn’s hit the ground running. They launched their first Kona Ice truck and soon pre-purchased a second territory. While they definitely have plans to expand, their strategy is to take things slowly and see what opportunities arise.

“We’ll adapt to what this area is known for and grow with it,” said John. “Ultimately, we hope to expand to six or more trucks and serve our community well. But for now, we’re taking it one year at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.”

1851 Franchise spoke to the Urhahn’s about their franchising journey with Kona Ice and their 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?

John Urhahn: We're originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and we were looking for something to do together as a couple and as a family. We wanted something for our daughters to be involved in and something that connected with the community — something we could personally support and be proud of.

Years ago, before the pandemic, we worked with an insurance franchise broker, but nothing really clicked. However, we had a family member involved with Kona, which introduced us to the brand. In St. Louis, we were very involved in our community, friends and various organizations. Kona seemed like a perfect fit for us and aligned with our desire to be involved as a family.

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?

John: We had explored a couple of other options. I'm not a big risk-taker, so franchising appealed to me. I work in corporate America and have experience with both large and small corporations. Franchising felt like an easy step into business. I've worked for small businesses trying to franchise, and I saw how difficult that was. The idea of a franchise appealed to me because of the higher likelihood of success in the short and long term. The proven business model with systems in place made the risk-averse part of me comfortable.

Franchises have built-in support systems that are very encouraging. After visiting Kona headquarters and experiencing the support firsthand, we're very impressed. We attended a convention as prospective franchisees and went through Kona College, where we saw everyone at the office. It felt like working for a larger organization because of the extensive support. There's truck support, a marketing team, and leadership thinking about these things daily. Many of them are also franchise owners, so their efforts benefit everyone. It's been great.

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

Sarah Urhahn: The opportunity to give back was a huge factor for us. We want to be active members of our community and help out. What's the point of just making money for ourselves if the people around us are struggling? The idea of going into schools, sporting events and other community activities to bring joy with snow cones, and then using the funds we raise to give back, was really appealing. It's great to support organizations and schools that need the money, and having the ability to do that was a big part of our decision.

John: It was also about collaboration with people. We didn't feel like we were taking from anyone; instead, we felt invested in the community and its organizations. Another significant aspect we discussed was our daughters, aged 17 and 13. We wanted something we wouldn't feel bad about giving to our own kids. It's not like an ice cream truck full of sugar that could make someone gain weight. Snow cones made with vitamins and fruit-forward ingredients, which are kosher and have no artificial colors, made us feel good about what we were offering. This aspect really appealed to us as well.

Sarah: Our oldest daughter has a peanut allergy, which has significantly influenced the treats she can have over the years. When we go places with an ice cream truck, everyone else can enjoy a treat, but she often can't. Kona offers a guaranteed nut-free option, is kosher, and provides dye-free and sugar-free choices. This inclusivity was crucial to us, ensuring everyone can enjoy a treat.

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

John: We hope to employ many people from our community. We can't do this alone, so we're definitely looking forward to building a great team with local people, including our daughters if they choose to join as they get older. Our plan is to really serve the county we're in and grow here in southwest Florida.

Our growth strategy will evolve over time. Currently, we have one truck and have pre-purchased a second territory. We're getting a second truck next year. We'll take it year by year and see what opportunities arise, whether it's schools, sports leagues, or corporate events. We'll adapt to what this area is known for and grow with it. Ultimately, we hope to expand to six or more trucks and serve our community well. But for now, we're taking it one year at a time and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Sarah: It's never too late to try something new and go after your dreams. We were in the nine-to-five grind for so long and felt there had to be something more. John didn't want to be stuck behind a desk in meetings every day until retirement. We've always looked for a way to free him from that and allow him to be a more present father and husband. We also wanted something we could do as a family.

We're really hoping this experience expands our daughters' worldview. We want them to see that sometimes you have to take risks, even if they are low risks with a solid company. We hope this sparks something in them, so one day, instead of asking, “Who can I work for?” they might ask, “What can I own?” Who knows?

John: I would add that we wanted to do something together as a family and be a part of our community. Giving back is our heart and desire. We don't just want to work together as a family; we want to be part of a larger community. Finding our place within that community is important to us, and we feel everyone helps us do that.

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

John: Do your research and talk to as many people as possible. Within Kona, there are many different growth strategies and techniques. Attend the convention, talk to your local franchisees, and connect with everyone you can, including corporate staff. The more you know, the less scary it will be, and you'll have more success with those relationships and support.

Sarah: To add to that, if you do your research, anyone can be a franchisee. You don't need a specific personality or special skills. As long as you understand what you're getting into and find the right franchise, you can be successful.

About Kona Ice

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. Today, Kona Ice has grown to more than 1,700 mobile units that serve 49 states across the country. Kona Ice has been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 11 consecutive years, earning a spot on the Franchise 500 Hall of Fame, and most recently being named #1 in the “Frozen Desserts” and “Ice Cream” categories. 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. For more on Kona Ice, visit the brand’s online Newsroom and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news. 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.