Rita's Italian Ice Franchise
In a world full of ice cream franchises, we offer unique frozen desserts that make customers go ‘WOW! WOW! WOW!’
$100,000
$35,000
547
1989
Trevose,PA
Linda Chadwick
About Rita's Italian Ice
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!
This is a huge advantage in the nearly $30 billion frozen desserts industry because it helps franchisees win customers who are eager to try new things.
Maria Finley is a great example. She opened her first Rita’s in late 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She experienced Rita’s for the first time while attending Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “I tasted it,” Finley told Baton Rouge’s 225 Magazine, “and I was like, … What is this, and why don’t we have it in Louisiana?’”
Her customers agree. Carly A. left this Yelp review: “WOW! WOW! WOW! So the hype around this place has had me wanting to try it since they opened. I live across town, so I’m never out that way to stop by. I finally made a point to go by there for the first time last night and it was worth the almost 30 minute drive from my house! AMAZING. From the moment we walked in, the staff was so friendly and helpful. They have a great selection of flavors and treats! I got the gelati with cotton candy shaved ice and vanilla custard. The custard had the perfect texture and flavor and the shaved ice was the most flavorful frozen treat I’ve ever had. My husband got just the Georgia peach shaved ice and he absolutely loved it. They have so many different options of desserts and I can’t wait to go back and try more!”
Franchise Unit Trends & Revenue
547
33
$348,701
* in 2023
Franchise Fees
$35,000
Veteran's Fee: $8,000 - $28,000
6.5%
Estimated/Gross Sales
3.0%
Estimated/Gross Sales
Why Choose Rita's Italian Ice?
Guests love trying a unique, new frozen dessert franchise. The key to growth is introducing customers to the brand.Rita’s provides extensive marketing support to help franchisees get the word out about their unique frozen dessert franchise. This includes help staging a crowd-pleasing grand opening event, planning local marketing strategies and leveraging time-tested promotional materials designed to build and sustain interest in your shop.
“You have to keep advertising to keep guests coming in, and that’s something that Rita’s really helps with. We keep our name in the front of people’s minds,” says Jordan Kasner, a multi-unit franchisee in Philadelphia.
The good news for Rita’s franchisees is that our potential guests include everyone, in all different age groups and demographics, says Senior Vice President of Marketing Lisa White.
Starting Costs & Investment Requirements
$278,333 - $624,695
$300,000
$100,000
Training & Support
Rita’s marketing boosts business through methods like community involvement, traditional advertising, and digital and social media outreach. We offer hands-on support that helps franchisees stand out from the crowd, highlighting the uniqueness and quality of our product.
History
When former firefighter Bob Tumolo and his mother began selling Italian ice from their front porch one sweltering summer day in 1984, there was no way of knowing then that from such humble beginnings would grow an international brand that’s still going strong over three decades later.
Tumolo just wanted to earn a little extra income, and his frozen treat business was an instant hit. He named the business after his wife, Rita. While the Tumolos sold the brand in 2005, Rita’s today has approximately 600 units in the U.S. and internationally, and is one of the most beloved frozen treats around. We still make our ice fresh every day, using real fruit, and it’s still refreshing. Still fun. Still delicious.
Ideal Candidate
While restaurant experience is very helpful, it is not required. We are looking for someone who is passionate about customer service, willing to get involved in their community and can be both a leader and a team player. Financially, we require candidates to have a minimum of $100,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of at least $300,000.
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