Hey Empire Builders, Welcome to this week’s Franchise Empire Newsletter, where we share specific franchise opportunities that we think are interesting and examples of everyday folks building their empires.
✔ A Resale with $1.3M in Sales**
✔ Is Kona Ice a Good Investment in 2026? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)
✔ Tech Careers to Building Generational Wealth - Michael & Penny's Story
✔ Is This the Most PROFITABLE Gym Business Model in 2026?
**Sales are non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the source; they should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.
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Franchise resales possess many benefits for aspiring business owners – established cash flow, experienced employees, systems in place, and brand awareness, to name a few.
**Revenue, or any financial numbers, is non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the franchisor. You should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.
Curious to learn more about this particular franchise resale, or other resales available in your area?
We have a list of over 100+ resales with various brands spanning the United States and Canada. Click the link below to find out what specific opportunities are available in your area.
Michael was in tech sales. Penny worked in product design. And like many corporate professionals, they had experienced layoffs and uncertainty more than once. They were done feeling exposed.
When a relative bought a franchise, it opened their eyes. They wanted a proven system with a clear playbook, something one of them could run full-time while the other provided stability during the transition.
And most importantly, they wanted to build something that could outlive them, something their 10-year-old twin sons could one day inherit.
With Laura’s guidance, they explored multiple franchise models and did extensive due diligence. There were strong contenders. Tough decisions. Real conversations.
But ultimately, they chose the brand that aligned best with their long-term family vision. “They were disciplined in how they evaluated every opportunity,” Laura said. “They weren’t chasing hype, they were building a foundation.”
Today, they own six territories and are building a business designed for control, stability, and legacy. This is what taking ownership looks like. Congrats, Michael and Penny!
You’ve probably seen one of those bright, tropical Kona Ice trucks parked outside a school field day or community festival. Music playing. Kids lined up. Syrup stations are glowing on the side of the truck.
But this brand didn’t start because someone loved shaved ice.
It started in 2007, when founder Tony Lamb had a bad experience with what he described as a dirty, creepy ice cream truck. Instead of complaining about it, he decided to reinvent the mobile dessert business entirely. Cleaner trucks, better branding, friendlier staff. A more modern experience.
By 2008, just one year later, Kona began franchising and awarded 15 franchises in its first year. Fast forward to today, and there are 1,820+ trucks operating across the country.
Along the way, Kona has leaned heavily into community partnerships, giving back over $200 million to schools, nonprofits, and local organizations.
In 2024, the company also won a patent lawsuit and was awarded $532,000 in damages over its signature Flavorwave system. That matters. It shows they didn’t just build a unique model; they protected it. Standing up for their intellectual property helps protect the brand, the system, and ultimately the franchisees who invested in it.
The brand has grown quickly. The bigger question is whether the numbers behind it make sense for you. So, let's see what it takes to own one of your own.👇
*You should treat the values as approximated values. These values were found online through research.
Total Investment: $178,000 - $226,000
Royalty Structure:
Marketing Fee:
Ideal Franchise Candidate:Community-Driven Operator: Comfortable building relationships with schools, nonprofits, and local event organizers.
Seasonal Business Realist: Understands revenue may fluctuate heavily based on weather and geography.
Self-Starter & Hustler: Willing to book events, manage schedules, and actively pursue opportunities.
Warm-Climate Advantage Seeker: Knows geography plays a major role in revenue potential.
*Information above taken from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document – Item 19
Crunch Fitness went bankrupt in 2009, and today it’s valued at over $1.5 billion. So what changed? In this video, we break down the real numbers behind the Crunch Fitness franchise model, including startup costs, royalties, membership data, cash operating profit, and what the FDD actually reveals about how much these gyms make. We’ll look at sales by performance tier, rent costs, equipment financing, churn risk, and whether this is truly one of the most profitable gym business models in 2026. If you’re thinking about buying a fitness franchise like Crunch or Planet Fitness, this breakdown will help you understand the real risk and upside before you invest.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Franchise Empire newsletter.
Feel free to reply with any questions, or feedback. I appreciate and value your time and attention.
I’ll see you at the same time next week!
-Tariq and The Franchise Empire Team