Hokulia Shave Ice is a specialty dessert franchise bringing the authentic taste of Hawaiian shave ice to the mainland United States. Founded in 2009, the brand began with a single shave-ice shack in Provo, Utah, and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah. Its mission is to deliver the refreshing island experience through high-quality shaved ice and tropical flavors inspired by Hawaii’s vibrant culture.

The company began franchising in 2012 and has since expanded through mobile shacks, inline retail stores, and drive-thru locations. Hokulia offers a wide menu featuring finely shaved ice with more than 50 Hawaiian-style flavor syrups, premium ice cream, and real-fruit smoothies. The franchise is designed to operate with flexible formats that fit various markets, from seasonal stands to year-round retail shops.

What sets Hokulia apart from typical snow-cone or generic shave-ice brands is its ultra-fine, snow-like ice texture that fully absorbs flavor syrups for a rich, refreshing taste.

Training

Hokulia Shave Ice provides a structured training program to ensure franchisees and their managers are equipped to operate their business effectively. The franchisor outlines the following training components:

1. Initial Training Program: Both the franchisee and their designated manager must attend and successfully complete a five-day training course held at the company's headquarters in Lehi or Cedar Hills, Utah. This program must be completed at least four weeks prior to opening the franchise. The curriculum includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training in key operational areas like startup procedures, equipment handling, customer service, and recordkeeping.
2. Opening Assistance: Hokulia provides on-site support for three days before and two days after the store opening, with an additional day of post-opening consultation. This service is offered for one unit if the franchisee owns two, and for two units if they own three or more. The franchisee selects which locations will receive this support beyond the initial franchise.
3. Ongoing and Refresher Training: The franchisor may require the franchisee and their manager(s) to attend additional training or refresher courses throughout the franchise term. These can include mandatory annual meetings, optional seminars on topics like bookkeeping and performance standards, and required retraining as conditions evolve.

Territory Protection

Hokulia Shave Ice provides its franchisees with a protected territory under specific conditions. Typically, the franchisor agrees not to establish another Hokulia franchise within a ¾-mile driving radius of the franchisee’s premises.

This protected zone is contingent on population density and the specific type of franchise unit, such as a mobile kiosk, drive-thru, or brick-and-mortar store. However, this protection is not absolute. Hokulia reserves the right to operate or license outlets in non-traditional venues like airports, sports arenas, or military bases, even within the protected territory.

Additionally, the franchisor can market and sell Hokulia products via other channels—including online, catalogs, or wholesale—both inside and outside the franchisee’s territory, which may lead to some overlap in brand presence.