From its humble beginnings on a front porch outside of Philadelphia, to over 550 franchise locations, Rita’s Italian Ice has been serving frozen treats across the nation since 1984. By Kelsi Trinidad
From its humble beginnings on a front porch outside of Philadelphia, to over 550 franchise locations, Rita’s Italian Ice has been serving frozen treats across the nation since 1984. Founder and former firefighter Bob Tumolo was looking for a way to earn a little extra income when he decided to put his mother’s famous Italian ice (or “water ice” as it’s known in Philly) recipe to work. In the sweltering summer heat, the refreshing, fruity treats were an instant hit. Tumolo named the business after his wife, Rita, and Rita’s Italian Ice was born.
In 1989, just five years after opening, Rita’s had reached soaring success and created a loyal guest base that couldn’t get enough of the brand’s frozen treats. The company decided to give the people what they wanted and began franchising to expand the business across the country. Now, Rita’s has taken over the frozen- treat industry as the largest Italian ice and custard brand in the U.S.
What made Tumolo’s mother’s Italian ice recipe different was the use of real fruit in the ice. Rita’s has stayed true to using quality ingredients in its recipe, and its Italian ice is still made with real fruit today. Rita’s eventually added its signature frozen custard to the menu, which has earned its own following as a decadent upgrade to the usual ice cream.
New franchisees can depend on a long-standing, proven business model that offers a range of opportunities to fit entrepreneurs’ budgets. With only two core products and minimal staffing requirements, there are few startup costs and tons of potential for high-profit margins.
Providing support for their franchisees is a core value to Rita’s Italian Ice. The brand has its own three-part training course at Cool University, Rita’s training campus near its Trevose, Pennsylvania, headquarters. Here, franchisees will get both virtual and hands-on training on the tried-and-true methods that have historically made Rita’s franchises successful. “The franchise model means that no small-business owner has to tackle challenges alone,” said Linda Chadwick, president and CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice. “The support of a proven business and a franchise network means that our local franchise owners are in business for themselves – not by themselves.”
Earlier this year, Chadwick had the opportunity to appear on the CBS show UNDERCOVER BOSS, where she took a glimpse into three of Rita’s franchise locations around the country. What she saw was so much more than tasty Italian ices and creamy custards. “I quickly remembered what makes the franchise model so special,” recalled Chadwick. “We are a community of people, a franchise community, passionate about the local businesses we represent in cities and towns across the nation.”
As many business owners are still slowly rebounding from the turbulence of the pandemic, Rita’s franchise model offers an accessible way into business ownership for entrepreneurs who face bigger hurdles in the business world, including people of color and women.
Kelsi Trinidad