Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream is exploding across the United States with more than 20 trucks on the road and another 30-plus in development. The fast-growing mobile franchise—specializing in Hawaiian shaved ice and ice cream—signed 28 franchise agreements in 2015, entering five new states and primed for aggressive national expansion in 2016. The company expects to sell at least 100 territories by the end of the year.
“The global retail ice cream industry is expected to reach $74 billion by 2018,” Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream VP of Business Development Scott Mortier said. “While it’s a competitive space, we have a winning recipe for success that is attracting franchise investors from across the United States. We offer high profit margin products, have an eye-catching vending vehicle that stands out from the rest and have developed proven operational systems that allow operators to quickly produce products and keep the transactions flowing.”
To augment national franchise expansion, Tikiz launched an express financing program in October 2015 called SBA Express. Through this program, First Financial Bank has committed to finance a minimum of 75 Tikiz franchises, with 72-hour pre-approval and funding within 45 days. Available to new and existing franchisees, SBA Express makes it easier to process and fund low dollar loans up to $150,000 – the cost of opening one Tikiz unit. The program has streamlined the opening process by reducing lender transaction costs and increasing access to working capital for Tikiz franchisees.
Tikiz also recapitalized in August to support national franchise expansion efforts. The capital was invested by a South Florida-based investment group comprised of seasoned business development experts responsible for building multiple industry-leading brands.
Mortier, a member of the investment group, added, “Tikiz offers prospective entrepreneurs a fun business to operate for under $150,000, with low overhead costs and flexible hours. We have franchisees who work 9-5 in Corporate America and operate their Tikiz trucks on the weekends for extra income. And, we have others who own multiple units and manage their Tikiz fleet as their full-time job. Tikiz is a great franchise opportunity for anyone interested in an engaging, entertaining and fulfilling career.”
The Tikiz business opportunity is a complete turn-key package with everything included from the truck, supplies and docking station equipment to marketing materials, Tikiz apparel, licenses, permits and insurance, among other items needed to successfully launch and operate the business. Franchisees enjoy a fixed royalty rate of $500 per month and a protected territory of a 150,000 residential population. The franchise also offers a multi-unit franchise discount when franchisees purchase three units, completely waiving the $15,000 franchise fee for the third truck, and provides financing through Ford Motor Company.
