Why These Kona Ice Franchisees Are Expanding with Travelin' Tom’s Coffee

Kona Ice franchisees Matt Hardman and Julie Sha are adding a new venture to their portfolio with Travelin' Tom’s Coffee Truck in Bend, Oregon. After years in the corporate world, the couple turned to franchising to gain more flexibility and embrace their passion for giving back to the community. Kona Ice was a perfect fit for their family-focused values, and with the launch of Travelin' Tom’s, they’re excited to extend the same mission to a new segment. 

In their journey, they’ve faced personal and professional challenges — from surviving cancer to relocating across states — but franchising has provided them with the resilience and community support they needed. Now, the couple is eager to grow their coffee business and continue their impact in Central Oregon with the help of their children who have been an integral part of the business.

1851 spoke with Hardman and Sha to learn more about their franchise journey. 

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

Matt Hardman: I started as a senior infrastructure engineer for about forever, basically in IT. My wife and I realized we needed more flexible time. I found Kona Ice when we started looking into doing something different around 2015-2016. Our whole family was sick and Julie had to transport us. Between day care, elementary school and my job, it was very challenging. Once everyone was well again we started looking for a different career for Julie so she could make family obligations a first priority. 

Then, about two months ago, I retired from IT to start Travelin’ Tom’s with her. 

Julie Sha: So my background is actually in social services. In high school and college, I did a lot of community service. I was part of a frat that did community events too. In my corporate career, I missed the satisfaction of giving back. Back when we started, we were in the Bay Area, where there’s no bus transportation. My husband couldn’t drive for about six months due to health issues, so I had to drive him around and take our kids to daycare and school, which only left about three to four hours of work time each day. The Bay Area traffic was horrible. 

After everyone was healthy, we decided we needed more freedom. Matt found Kona Ice, and we loved it because it gave back to the community and satisfied a lot of my career requirements that corporate America didn’t offer.

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?

Hardman: Before becoming a franchisee, I thought franchising was a pre-built business. But I also saw how some brands, like Subway, were really high on royalties and forced their franchisees into high fees. You basically have to grow and buy new franchises just to make any money. Now, with Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s, I see a different side of franchising. They’re family-run, and it’s all about taking care of everyone.

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

Hardman: We chose Kona Ice because it’s well-known and family-run. The main mission is to give back. When they started Travelin’ Tom’s, we jumped on it because it had the same core values.

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

Hardman: We hope to expand more into Central Oregon. We’re planning to add at least one more coffee truck and probably another Kona Ice truck.

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

Sha: Our journey wasn’t easy. We had to start over twice with Kona Ice. When we moved from the Bay Area to Central Oregon, it was because family came first. In 2017, we found out my mother-in-law was terminal. We sold our house, bought an RV and moved up to be with her. We didn’t have a place to stay, so we stayed at friends’ houses and moved every 14 days due to Oregon’s rules. We were still working on Kona Ice and growing the business. When my mother-in-law was passing, her wish was to have us all there. Being in corporate, I couldn’t have done that. We spent her last two weeks by her bedside, something no other company could have provided.

Since moving in 2018, I’ve also been through a lot, healthwise. I’m a cancer survivor of two types of cancer and had multiple surgeries. I lost count after six or seven. Kona Ice and Traveling Tom’s allowed me to recover and support our family during that time.

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

Sha: It’s not easy. You need grit and persistence. You’ll have ups and downs. That’s the reality. You need to roll with the punches and keep going, no matter what.

About Travelin’ Tom’s

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 $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.