About Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Frozen treat chain introduces new icy coffee treat available in original cold brew, mocha and caramel.

PHILADELPHIA — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats, introduces a line of new Cold Brew Frozen Coffees.

Available at all Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard locations for a limited time only starting April 17, new Cold Brew Frozen Coffees come in three flavors – Original Cold Brew, Mocha and Caramel. Each Cold Brew Frozen Coffee is crafted with Rita’s vanilla ice and custard, to create an indulgent, unique flavorful coffee experience.

“Being in the business of frozen treats, launching an indulgent and better frozen coffee that differentiates from every other frozen coffee product out there was second nature for us,” said Brianne Barket, Director of Product Development and Quality Assurance of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “After testing frozen coffee in shops last year to an overwhelming positive response from guests, we’re focused on growing our beverage line to meet growing consumer demand for all-day refreshment and on-the-go portability.”

In addition, to celebrate this new addition, all Rita’s app users will get a free small frozen coffee reward in their app account, so they can try the delicious new treat for free during the promo period.

“We’re happy to introduce Cold Brew Frozen Coffees to capitalize on growing coffee trends and attract Millennial and Gen-Z guests looking for a new refreshing java option,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “These flavorful frozen coffees are the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up for our guests needing a happiness jolt to their day, and we know once people taste Cold Brew Frozen Coffee, it will become a must-have refreshment!”

Rita’s signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily on-site and available in a rotating daily selection from over 75 flavors. Other menu items at Rita’s include creamy Frozen Custard, signature Gelati, Concretes, Milkshakes and more.

Originally founded in May 1984, Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo created his prized family recipe to include real fruit, named the product after his wife Rita, and Rita’s Italian Ice was born. Since then, Rita’s has staked its claim in the frozen treats industry by planting franchises across the country that offer a happy atmosphere, as well as set the standard for fresh and quality-driven Italian Ice.

For more information about Rita’s Cold Brew Frozen Coffees and to find your closest Rita’s location, please visit www.ritasice.com.

Frozen treat chain kicks off spring with its beloved annual giveaway for all, and a Free Ice for a Year sweepstakes for app users.

PHILADELPHIA — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will celebrate the 31st anniversary of its First Day of Spring celebration, where all guests will enjoy a FREE Italian Ice giveaway on Monday, March 20, 2023.

All guests who visit a Rita’s location on March 20 will receive a FREE Italian Ice in the flavor of their choice to celebrate the First Day of Spring, including a new flavor that will be available starting that day – Gummy Bear Ice. Rita’s 550+ locations combined are expected to give away approximately 1 million cups of their classic Italian Ice.

In addition, from March 13 – March 20, all Rita’s app users will have the opportunity to enter into a sweepstakes for a chance to win Free Ice for a Year by entering the promo code SPRING23 into their Rita’s app. For complete rules and regulations, see www.ritasice.com/FDOS2023Sweeps.

“We’re excited to continue our beloved Italian Ice giveaway tradition on the First Day of Spring as we take pride in lifting the spirits of many of our fans across the country as spring means warmer weather is on its way,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “We hope to see everyone enjoying their free ice at Rita’s on March 20, and encourage entering to win free ice for a year on the Rita’s app.”

Rita’s signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily and available in a rotating daily selection from over 75 flavors. The Italian Ice is made on-site daily and Rita’s has a freshness policy where all unused ice is discarded after 36 hours. Other menu items at Rita’s include creamy Frozen Custard, signature Gelati, Concretes, Milkshakes and more.

Originally founded in May 1984, Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo created his prized family recipe to include real fruit, named the product after his wife Rita, and Rita’s Italian Ice was born. Since then, Rita’s has staked its claim in the frozen treats industry by planting franchises across the country that offer a happy atmosphere, as well as set the standard for fresh and quality-driven Italian Ice.

For more information about Rita’s First Day of Spring famous free Italian Ice giveaway and to find your closest Rita’s location, please visit www.ritasice.com.

Mark Jenkins Named as Vice-President of Marketing for Leading Frozen Treats Brand.

PHILADELPHIA — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats, has added Mark Jenkins as Vice-President of Marketing, bringing his years of brand management experience and consumer behavior expertise to the iconic franchise brand.

In his new role, Jenkins will lead the development, implementation and performance of Rita’s consumer marketing. His key objective will be to optimize omni-channel marketing efforts to build the brand, drive guest loyalty, promote Rita’s shops, and reach new and existing guests across the country. Other initiatives include leveraging the brand’s online ordering, delivery, and drive-thru offerings and drive a media strategy that addresses core markets like Philadelphia, and growth markets alike.

“Having spent time in restaurants as a general manager, franchise consultant, and marketing leader at some of the nation’s largest restaurant brands, I understand that to grow units and increase sales, you must work alongside operators to facilitate an effective and actionable brand strategy,” said Jenkins. “With a coordinated approach, we can further strengthen brand equity in familiar markets like Philadelphia and Maryland and expand the reach of this iconic brand to current and new markets. Our passion is to create amazing experiences for our guests through our unmatched Italian Ice and frozen custard.”

No stranger to the restaurant industry, Jenkins previously served as Senior Director/Head of Marketing for Roy Rogers Restaurants, overseeing and developing strategy for the brand in all aspects of marketing, including brand management, field marketing, media strategy, new product introductions, calendar development, agency management, digital & social marketing, and creative direction.

He also served as Director of Brand Marketing for CKE Restaurants, managing the annual marketing calendar, brand, menu, and product offerings for 3,000+ Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants using consumer insights, new product introductions, and brand strategy. Jenkins also spent time as Director of Product Marketing for Hardees Restaurants, where he managed existing and new product offerings for 1,800 Hardee’s restaurants. Jenkins holds a doctorate in marketing from Grand Canyon University and an MBA from Texas Tech.

“Mark joins us at a key time for our brand, as we are approaching the unofficial kick-off to the frozen treats season, a time when we will soon celebrate new and existing shops opening across the country and host our annual First Day of Spring FREE ice giveaway,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “With a wealth of marketing and brand experience in the restaurant space, we’re extremely excited to welcome him to the Rita’s family as he has the abilities to thrive in this role.”

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is actively looking to grow with business minded individuals, who are passionate about the brand and are active members of their community. To learn more about franchise opportunities, please visit: www.ownaritas.com.

CEO and President Linda L. Chadwick Dons Disguise to Get Behind-the-Counter Visibility on the Brand.

PHILADELPHIA — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, a beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats, announced that CEO and President, Linda L. Chadwick, will be featured on the CBS award-winning series UNDERCOVER BOSS, airing Friday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT, 7:00-8:00 PM, CT). In going undercover, Linda was able to gain anonymity – and a preview into the world of a Rita’s franchisee – resulting in impactful changes for the brand to help its growth nationwide.

“Going undercover allowed me to get an inside-look in our shops, hear from franchisees and interact with their teams on a much more an impactful level,” said Chadwick. “This was not just a valuable experience to learn how the brand initiatives were working, but a chance to see the business through the eyes of our franchisees and discover what we need to do as an organization to help them become more profitable and grow the brand.”

In the episode, Chadwick was disguised as “Marcy Morgan,” a long-standing Rita’s fan and retired teacher from Massachusetts who wasn’t ready to leave the workforce and was considering becoming a franchisee. Chadwick visited three franchise locations during her undercover journey, where she was able to get a first-hand, behind-the-counter view into how these Rita’s shops were operating and learn more about the people running the businesses.

Beginning in Tom’s River, NJ, Chadwick joined the staff as a Treat Team member and was inspired by franchisee Hezrron Gonzales’s American Dream story. After moving from the Philippines, Hezrron worked at a Rita’s for ten years before saving up enough money to buy his own location and a mobile unit allowing him to cater events outside of his shop. Chadwick then visited franchisee Stefani Nieves in Holland, MI, a working mom whose shop included the drive-thru system being offered to Rita’s franchisees to help increase revenue. Her last stop was in Lake Buena Vista, FL, where she worked alongside Chip Byers and Andrew Collins, franchisees committed to hiring Treat Team members with disabilities and autism.

As a result of her undercover mission, Chadwick learned there were opportunities for the franchise organization to improve across areas of the business – staffing, operations and regional/community connection. Some key priorities for Chadwick coming out of the undercover experience include developing a diversity & inclusion program, and improving how franchisees are supported by the brand’s franchise consultants by updating its brand standards, communications and procedures – all geared towards improving unit economics for their franchisees. Additionally, she will engage franchisees with Rita’s research and development team to ensure the brand maximizes opportunities to leverage trends for system and/or regional development.

“Going undercover showed me our franchisees are really engaged, want to run their shops effectively and are passionate about ‘serving up happiness’ to guests so they have a memorable experience,” said Chadwick. “Being offered a once-in-a-lifetime experience like this, you want to make the most of it. We know brand evaluation and improvement is a recipe for franchise success and growth, so we plan to apply the lessons learned throughout the organization to find more ways to help franchisees uphold brand standards, run successful shops and create a stronger bond with their local communities.”

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, founded in 1984 in the greater Philadelphia area, has nearly 550 shops across the U.S. and Asia and is the largest Italian ice concept in the world. Guests visit Rita’s to enjoy its famous, freshly made Italian ice and premium frozen custard in a fun-filled atmosphere.

Rita’s is actively looking for additional franchisees to help develop the brand, and is seeking to partner with hands-on entrepreneurs who are passionate about the brand and motivated to grow. Previous restaurant experience is a bonus, but not a necessity.

UNDERCOVER BOSS is a two-time Emmy Award-winning reality series that follows high-level executives as they slip anonymously into the rank-and-file of their own organizations. Each week, a different leader will sacrifice the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their operation.