Family-Focused Kona Ice Franchise Owners Bring Travelin' Tom's Coffee to Eugene, Oregon

Since opening their first Kona Ice franchise in 2019, brother-and-sister-in-law duo Jeremy and Leuretta Keenan have made a meaningful impact in their local community, donating over $100,000 to schools and nonprofits. Jeremy, a former police officer and commercial fisherman, and Leuretta, a former educator, are no strangers to giving back. But with their latest venture, a Travelin’ Tom’s coffee truck, they’re adding something new to their community of Eugene, Oregon — a mobile, high-quality and convenient coffee experience.

“When Kona told us about the opportunity with Travelin’ Tom’s, we were excited by the idea of the coffee truck,” said Leuretta. “They’ve developed a high-quality product and brand, and everything is beautifully done. The mobile aspect is great — we can bring the truck to you, whatever the event.”

1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their backgrounds, their path to Travelin’ Tom’s 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?

Leuretta Keenan: We’re brother and sister-in-law, and we both grew up in a small town in Oregon. I went to school for early education and worked in that field for a few years. This career was an unexpected route, but it made sense for us.

Jeremy Keenan: I went to school for criminal justice and worked as a cop for a couple of years. Then I went into commercial fishing in Alaska, doing that for about five years. I was gone for seven months of the year, making a lot of money, but it wasn’t a great lifestyle. I was looking for something fun and interesting at home. I actually stumbled upon Kona Ice at a friend’s BBQ, loved the concept and wanted out of the fishing world. I spoke to several people who owned a Kona and they all said good things about it.

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?

Leuretta: Franchising gives you all the tools and everything you need. There’s a lot of support along the way, and you aren’t starting from scratch.

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

Leuretta: Kona was a great way for us to continue working with kids and families. We loved the “Do Good, For Good” motto. When Kona told us about the opportunity with Travelin’ Tom’s, we were excited by the idea of the coffee truck. They’ve developed a high-quality product and brand, and everything is beautifully done. The mobile aspect is great — we can bring the truck to you, whatever the event.

Jeremy: It has been amazing. We started with Kona in 2019, and we’ve been able to donate over $100,000 to schools, nonprofits, etc. That was one of the things that drew us in. For us, it’s about providing a fun and exciting experience while also giving back to the community. Travelin’ Tom’s has also been a hit, and we’re happy to bring something of higher quality. There’s only one other mobile coffee truck in our area, so we saw a big need, just like with Kona. It’s exciting to offer something convenient that people here haven’t had before.

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

Leuretta: This is really a family venture. We even have our niece and nephew with us. This is still a locally owned business, even though it’s a franchise.

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

Leuretta: It’s always harder than you think it’s going to be — we were pretty taken aback by how much work it takes. But that hard work in the beginning really pays off and is very rewarding. It has also allowed us to be available for the things that are important; it frees up our time.

Jeremy: Success is hard to achieve without sacrifices. Just know that you are going to sacrifice things for a while. For anyone looking into a franchise or becoming a business owner, it generally starts slow, but you’ll see a snowball effect over time. That’s really the only way to be successful.

Learn more about franchising with Travelin’ Tom’s at https://www.ownacoffeetruck.com/.

About Travelin’ Toms

Founded in 2020 by Tony Lamb, the visionary behind Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck delivers a unique, mobile beverage experience to events and gatherings of all sizes. Offering a wide range of freshly made, customizable beverages—including signature Nitro Cold Brew, Caramel Frappe, hot chocolates, energy drinks, and more—Travelin' Tom's caters to coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers alike. With a commitment to quality and convenience, the franchise continues to grow rapidly, bringing caffeination inspiration and fruity refreshment to communities nationwide. For more information, visit www.travelintoms.com.

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 $185 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.