Pros and Cons of a Mobile Kiosk Franchise

Mobile kiosk franchises, like Kona Ice, for example, leverage a mobile model that allows the franchise owner to bring their business wherever they need. There are other businesses that take this form, including other food vendors, phone case kiosks, beverage concepts and even jewelry kiosks.

One of the most obvious perks of a mobile kiosk concept is the mobility and flexibility that it offers. This can be incredibly attractive to business owners as it empowers them to bring their business where the greatest demand lies. 

It also lends itself to a bit more flexibility compared to a retail model that consistently requires staffing to maintain set hours. This can create a better work-life balance, decrease labor costs and increase career satisfaction for both the owner and employees.

The lack of a storefront also tends to decrease the required initial investment, making this sort of business ownership far more accessible to those who are less capitalized and may not be able to afford concepts that require a multi-million dollar startup investment.

However, this mobility can be the same reason that business owners struggle to find consistent revenue. Without a set location and opportunity for foot traffic, exposure naturally decreases, drawing sales down with it.

The simplicity of the model is yet another double-edged sword. Because the concept allows for less space, the operations are often smaller and simpler than other concepts. However, there can be a thin line between functioning well within limited space and beginning to feel constricted. For concepts that need to maintain a range of inventory, this circumstance can be especially trying.

One of the less obvious cons to this sort of investment is the business owner’s reliance on the weather. For many mobile kiosk models, consumers are forced to line up outside. Because the business itself does not offer any official shelter, inclement weather can deter customers, henceforth driving down sales for the day.

The mobile model is appealing to many, and that is entirely justified. Like any franchise investment decision, evaluating whether a mobile kiosk concept is right for you heavily depends on your unique circumstances, career goals and lifestyle aspirations.