Draft:Tony Lamb
 | Review waiting, please be patient.
This may take 8 weeks or more, since drafts are reviewed in no specific order. There are 2,951 pending submissions waiting for review.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Reviewer tools
|
| Submission declined on 5 August 2025 by Lijil (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
This draft has been resubmitted and is currently awaiting re-review. |  |
Comment: I think it is unlikely that there should be an encyclopedia article about Tony Lamb, based on Wikipedia's criteria for inclusion ("notability"). None of the sources here demonstrate notability. You would need there to be significant coverage of Lamb in multiple reliable, independent sources. None of the Kona websites are independent sources. Please read WP:BIO. Lijil (talk) 12:05, 5 August 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. 216.68.121.133 (talk) 16:51, 4 August 2025 (UTC)
Tony Lamb is an American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Kona Ice, a mobile shaved ice franchise company. He is also the founder of Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck and Beverly Ann's Cookies..[1]
Early Life and Career
[edit]Tony Lamb was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on Nov. 2, 1968 [1]. He was a 1987 graduate of Parkersburg High School [2] and later moved to Kentucky, attending the University of Kentucky[2]. He began his career in door-to-door vacuum sales, following in his father's footsteps, and eventually established his own sales business with six offices and a staff of over 300 [3]. In 2002, he transitioned into marketing consulting for businesses [1].
Founding of Kona Ice
[edit]The inspiration for Kona Ice struck Lamb in 2005 after a negative experience with a traditional ice cream truck [1]. He envisioned a cleaner, friendlier, and more inviting mobile food concept that offered a high-quality product. In 2007, Lamb launched Kona Ice in Florence, Kentucky, aiming to revolutionize the mobile dessert industry[3]. He wanted to recreate the classic summer staple with shaved ice, bright colorful trucks, and a friendly penguin mascot [4].
A key innovation of Kona Ice was the "Flavorwave," a patented flavor dispenser built into the side of the trucks, allowing customers to customize their shaved ice [5]. The company also focused on creating a tropical, fun, and family-friendly atmosphere.
Growth and Franchising
[edit]Tony Lamb began franchising Kona Ice in 2008 [6]. The company's growth was significantly influenced by its unique business model, which involves strong community partnerships and a focus on fundraising. During the 2008 recession, when many organizations faced budget cuts for events, Lamb developed a model where Kona Ice would provide shaved ice for a per-customer fee and then donate a significant percentage of the proceeds back to schools, youth sports leagues, and other community groups [7]. This "giveback" model became a hallmark of the company and contributed to its rapid expansion.
Under Lamb's leadership, Kona Ice has grown to become the world's largest food truck company, with roughly 2,000 franchisee-owned trucks in 49 states and Canada as of recent reports [8]. The company has consistently been recognized on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list[9], named the #1 New Franchise in the U.S. in 2013 [10], and regularly ranked among the top fastest-growing franchises. Kona Ice has also received high franchisee satisfaction ratings from Franchise Business Review for over a decade[11].
The company is headquartered in Florence, Kentucky[12]. To ensure consistency and support for franchisees, Lamb established "Kona Kollege," a training program at the corporate headquarters[13].
Other Ventures
[edit]In 2020, Tony Lamb expanded his entrepreneurial endeavors by launching Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck [14], a mobile coffee franchise named after his father, Tom Lamb [12]. Travelin' Tom's specializes in a variety of beverages ranging from nitro cold brew and frappes to teas and lemonades. [15]He also introduced Beverly Ann's Cookies, a warm cookie and ice cream truck named in honor of his mother, Beverly Ann Lamb [1].
Philanthropy and Community Involvement
[edit]A significant aspect of Tony Lamb's business philosophy is community giving. Since its inception, Kona Ice has donated over $200 million (as of 2025) to local community organizations[1]. Lamb also hosts an annual Kona Ice Konvention in February, where a key focus is community giving. Each year, Kona Ice franchisees bring gently-used clothing items to the Kona Ice Konvention to be donated to Fairhaven Rescue Mission, a local charity in Covington, KY. [16]
Recognition
[edit]Tony Lamb was named the 2021 Chief Executive Officer for a Large Private Company by Cincinnati Business Courier[17]. In 2023, he was inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame [18]. In 2025, Lamb was named EY's Regional Entrepreneur of the Year[8]. He has also been recognized by Nation's Restaurant News as one of the nation's most influential CEOs [19].
Personal Life
[edit]Tony Lamb is married to Susie Lamb, and they have four children: Jake, Annie, Jonah, and Ava. His wife and children are actively involved in the family business [1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Kool Treats". May 2025.
- ^ a b "Parkersburg native inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame".
- ^ a b "Kona Ice CEO Tony Lamb's Journey into Franchising".
- ^ "25 successful startups founded during the last recession that made millions in revenue, listed colossal IPOs, sold to major companies, or became household brands". Business Insider.
- ^ "Door-to-door vacuum salesman to $120 million shaved ice truck franchise". CNBC. 26 April 2016.
- ^ "Tony Lamb's Kona Ice connects with Brandgenuity to expand its 'brand' offerings". 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Tony Lamb Shares a Key Ingredient to the Kona Ice Success". 8 December 2014.
- ^ a b https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/inno/stories/news/2025/07/31/ey-entrepreneur-year-awards-kona-ice-tony-lamb.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Kona Ice Soars to New Heights on Entrepreneur Magazine's 40th Annual Franchise 500® List – All Points PR".
- ^ "Kona Ice Franchise Cost - Kona Ice Franchise Opportunities | Franchise Help".
- ^ "Kona Ice Franchise Opportunity".
- ^ a b https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/10/31/kona-ice-tony-lamb-growth-frachise-cookies-coffee.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Kona Ice Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD".
- ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/potmsearch/detail/submission/6536491/Tony_Lamb [bare URL]
- ^ "Kona Ice Founder Launches Travelin' Tom's Coffee Truck | Mobile Coffee Franchise".
- ^ "Tony Lamb's Kona Ice franchisees to descend on NKY for their 'Konvention' and community giveback". 25 January 2024.
- ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/09/03/2021-c-suite-awards-winner-tony-lamb.html [bare URL]
- ^ "KY Entrepreneur Hall of Fame 2023 inductees include two NKyians, Tony Lamb, Donna Salyers". 28 October 2023.
- ^ https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/03/24/restaurant-ceos-named-influential.html [bare URL]