Rita's Franchise Company - Franchise

We're In The Business of Smiles

Italian ice franchise has unique products, a loyal following, and a simple business model built for growth

When guests walk into a Rita’s Italian Ice, they know they are in for a treat. Bright smiles and bright colors greet them, along with a cornucopia of icy goodness. Guests have been loving our product since the first Rita’s opened in Philadelphia in 1984. Since then, Rita’s franchisees have opened close to 600 units that dish out happiness alongside silky Italian ice flavors and creamy frozen custard.

Rita’s has thrived because we provide unique frozen desserts that combine the best of American and Italian dessert traditions. The result is an experience unlike any other that has earned Rita’s a cult-like following. Rita’s has also thrived thanks to a business model that helps entrepreneurs start and grow a business that they love. Our walk-up and drive-thru options help make it a simple-to-run, simple-to-grow business model, while our walk-in and mobile options make it a great fit for entrepreneurs who are looking for a fun, community-oriented business.

A Raving Fanbase

Depending on where you live, a frozen custard and Italian ice franchise may sound like a brand new concept. But Rita’s franchisees have been thriving for more than three decades. The recipe for success is fairly simple: Combine unique frozen treats and smiling service with a commitment to engaging with the community — and watch the smiles become contagious!

Why Rita's is Successful

We’ve demonstrated long-term sustainability, with 30+ years in business and multi-generational customers. We’re entrenched in our communities, and we're growing!

• $28 Billion Industry
• Open in 31 States
• Guest Happiness Index = 96%

Rita's is Unique...and that's a big advantage!

In a world full of ice cream franchises, we offer unique frozen desserts that make customers go ‘WOW! WOW! WOW!’

There are dozens of ice cream franchises where people can get a scoop of butter pecan. Frozen custard — prized for its dense, creamy texture and intense flavors — is a rare offering. Finding silky-smooth Italian ice? Fuggetaboutit! Unless you already have a Rita’s nearby, great Italian ice is going to be hard to find.

Customers choose Rita’s because we are a friendly business with unique frozen treats. In the Northeast, we are an institution, thanks to three decades of happy customers who know what to expect. In newer markets, we have a unique advantage: We are unique!

More Reasons to Join Rita's

Scalable Business Model - Rita’s has approximately 600 locations worldwide and has been a thriving brand for over three decades. As entrepreneurs examine Rita’s and compare our business to other potential business opportunities, one of the biggest things that stands out is the ease with which franchisees can scale up operations.

Low costs and simple operations - While we offer a tremendous variety of flavors to customers, the menu items themselves consist almost entirely of Italian Ice, custard and blends of the two. There’s no cooking — which means no vent hoods to clean and no grease traps to manage. Because the ingredient list is short, there’s little inventory to manage and very little waste. Each of these factors reduces the complexity of the business for franchisees and their employees.

The Crave Effect - Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Rita’s franchisees who operate in seasonal markets benefit from this effect in a big way. “Because it’s not accessible all year round, it’s something you look forward to and you know that when Rita’s opens, spring is coming, nice weather is coming, summer vacation is coming,” says Maureen Hartlieb, who owns multiple Rita’s locations in Maryland with her husband, Brian.

Ideal Candidate

At Rita's, we're looking for franchise owners who are community-driven with a strong desire to give back to their community—someone who is social and outgoing, energetic, service-oriented, and organized as well. Franchisees with an interest in establishing a multi-unit operation are also preferable.