With the goal of starting her own business, Debbie Pierce took a leap of faith when she left her 17-year Vanguard career with only two years left until retirement. “I felt like I needed a change in my life and that God was definitely pulling me in a different direction,” Pierce said. By Cindy Charette

With the goal of starting her own business, Debbie Pierce took a leap of faith when she left her 17-year Vanguard career with only two years left until retirement. “I felt like I needed a change in my life and that God was definitely pulling me in a different direction,” Pierce said.

In July 2013, Pierce took over an existing Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Gap, Pennsylvania. She was expecting to take a pay cut but justified that with plans to work only seasonally. She remembered thinking: “It’s OK, God will provide, and he did.” Only four months later, she and her husband, Kevin, had added another location and food truck, but this was just the beginning of phenomenal growth.

Despite learning she had breast cancer in the fall of 2014, Pierce continued to work on growing her business, while receiving treatment and throughout recovery. During this time, she built out a second food truck. The Pierces have now grown their business to include six Rita’s Ice franchise locations, with two food trucks and plans to open a seventh location soon.

Rita’s Ice provides the Pierces many opportunities to give back to their community. They call this their servant’s heart, as they visit churches and schools without charging a truck fee, and offer Rita’s Ice treats at a significant discount. Pierce explained: “We try to keep it affordable, especially for churches and schools. If we didn’t make it affordable, some of those kids would never get Rita’s Ice.”

The Pierces also take part in many local fundraisers and give back 20% of all sales. They often give away gift cards for charity gift baskets, participate in holiday parades, and then stay to give away treats. Kevin, the local police chief, takes their food trucks to underprivileged neighborhoods – in his uniform – to give away Rita’s Ice and connect with those communities. “Boy, do they love it! They love when the chief comes by and brings his Rita’s Ice truck,” Debbie said.

The Pierces have also shown up to give with their servant’s hearts for flood victims, search-and-rescue workers, healthcare workers, the United Way, and even customers who come through the window sharing joys or sorrows.

For more information about Rita’s Ice, visit ownaritasfranchise.com.

– Cindy Charette