Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard was founded in the summer of 1984 when Bob Tumolo opened a small Italian ice business, named for his wife Rita, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Today, the brand is an impressive organization with more than 550 shops across 31 states. By Erika Ortega
SPECIAL SECTION: FOOD + DRINKS
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard was founded in the summer of 1984 when Bob Tumolo opened a small Italian ice business, named for his wife Rita, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Today, the brand is an impressive organization with more than 550 shops across 31 states.
Dedicated to spreading happiness and delivering high-quality products to customers, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is in the business of putting smiles on people’s faces. The brand not only offers unique frozen treats and friendly service, but it also provides a neighborly charm that brings communities together. At the peak of summer, nothing sounds better than trying its new Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Ice, and the crowds seem to agree.
Throughout the years, the brand has continued to offer customers an evolving menu as well as many favorite staples, resulting in a loyal following by all generations. In a world full of frozen treat franchises, Rita’s stands out by serving unique frozen sweets. Its signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily and is available in a rotating selection from over 80 flavors so that even the pickiest of patrons is satisfied.
By offering a scalable business model, low food costs and a small footprint, this brand provides franchisees with a simple model built for growth. Furthermore, it offers comprehensive support to owners every step of the way, covering real estate, operations, marketing, product development, supply chain, technology and more.
Although it’s based on the East Coast, this franchise has achieved great success nationwide due to its unique offerings. This is why Rita’s has such an advantage within the $30 billion frozen-desserts industry. Whether a customer is a baby boomer, millennial or Generation Z member, they all crave new choices, and the brand’s treats continue to delight consumers of all backgrounds. After tasting some of the options available, customers are quick to spread the news, generating high levels of referrals and free publicity.
Multiple locations are popping up this summer, and the new franchisees are excited to hit the ground running. A location was scheduled to open on June 14 in southwest Fort Wayne, Indiana, but owner and operator Michael Casini decided to welcome fans of the chain over a month ahead of time. Additional locations recently opened in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and in McHenry, Illinois.
“This has been a long time in the making,” said Casini. “To me, Rita’s is more than just a place where you come and get incredible treats. It’s a place where you make memories and you share all the special moments with your family.”
Exciting things are happening in the Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard world as it celebrates 40 years of Ice, Custard and happiness. Download the Rita’s mobile app to stay up-to-date with the latest news and special offers.
Erika Ortega