Since 1984, Rita’s has been serving up smiles with its famous Italian ice and frozen desserts. The company grew from its modest beginnings on Founder Bob Tumolo’s porch to franchising its scalable business model across the country. By Kelsi Trinidad
Since 1984, Rita’s has been serving up smiles with its famous Italian ice and frozen desserts. The company grew from its modest beginnings on Founder Bob Tumolo’s porch to franchising its scalable business model across the country.
Even with the company’s widespread success, the heart of the company remains dedicated to the community. In 2006, Rita’s began its charitable partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Every year, Rita’s franchisees sell paper lemons for $1 each, with proceeds going to the foundation. The shops are decorated with the lemons to show the local community’s support for the cause. One franchisee even took it a step further in the spirit of the cause and shaved their head when the store’s donations reached $20,000.
“We have raised close to $5.5 million since 2006,” reported Rita’s Development Coordinator Kimberly Haidacher. “We’re really proud of our franchisees and really support their efforts.”
Additionally, individual Rita’s franchisees are able to give back to local causes they feel passionate about. “Some franchisees sponsor youth athletics,” said Haidacher. “Some provide coupons and giveaways to nonprofits or schools. Some sponsor churches that need help fundraising for their projects as well. Rita’s is always there to help out.”
With the support of the iconic brand, franchisees have become a staple of their communities, building memories and helping good causes for almost four decades. “Our franchisees have done so much with the community on an individual level, which is huge for us,” commented Haidacher.
For Haidacher, working for a brand that prioritizes giving back to the community has been a rewarding experience. “Rita’s as a brand sells itself, but to be part of a brand that not only is strong with the community in terms of product but is strong with the community in terms of the relationships that we build is fantastic. It’s absolutely amazing to be part of something so big with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and helping little ones with everything that we do,” she said.
Kelsi Trinidad