Better than an ice cream franchise?

Is Rita’s Italian ice and frozen custard business a better opportunity than an ice cream franchise?

We think so, and here are 3 reasons why

If you’ve been exploring the frozen desserts franchise industry, you have surely considered ice cream, and why not? Ice cream comes in every imaginable flavor, and most people love it. From Baskin-Robbins to Ben & Jerry’s, there’s a lot of ice cream out there – and that means a lot of competition in the ice cream franchise space.

But how much competition is there for a franchise that sells frozen custard and Italian ice? The answer is, we cannot come up with one. That’s what makes Rita’s Italian Ice such an interesting proposition. What we offer is so unique in the frozen desserts marketplace that we really stand out to consumers. And that’s great news for franchise investors.

3 reasons to own a Rita’s franchise

  1. Our business model is simple. Rita’s carries two core products, and everything on our menu is made from a combination of those two products. We sell frozen custard, which is like a smoother, creamier cousin of soft-serve ice cream, and Italian ice, which is like an upscale slushy made with real fruit. We make them fresh in every store, every day, combining them in different ways to come up with a fun variety of simple, delicious desserts. The streamlined menu allows you to focus more on developing your team and growing your business.
  2. We’re committed to giving back. Creating jobs and supporting the local economy is something every successful local business does. At Rita’s, we want to do more to give back to the communities that support us. Sometimes that means contributing giveaways and rewards cards to local causes. Sometimes it means sponsoring a youth sports team. And as a brand, we’ve helped raise over $5 million to help find a cure for childhood cancer through our longstanding partnership with the nonprofit group Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
  3. Rita’s offers flexible service models. We offer three basic footprints for your Rita’s franchise – a walk-up model, a walk-in model and a non-traditional model for special venue operations. In addition to our three basic service models, Rita’s offers a mobile unit opportunity to grow your business beyond your four walls. Within these service models, you can find the right avenue to get into a Rita’s franchise and grow at your own pace. Like many of our multi-unit owners who started with a single Rita’s, you may ultimately decide to invest in a variety of service models to meet your business goals.

Rita’s is growing

With 600+ units in the U.S., Rita’s is the largest Italian ice concept in the world. We’re expanding into new regions this year, and there are many prime territories available. Our startup costs for a standard shop range from $196,128 to $455,500, depending on a variety of factors including real estate costs.

Do you qualify?

Foodservice experience is preferred but not required. Financially, we require candidates to have a minimum of $100,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of at least $300,000.

Download our Business Model eBook

For a detailed financial picture, fill out the form on this page to receive a copy of our Business Model eBook which in includes a copy of the item 19 from our latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise until we have complied with disclosure and registration requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact Rita’s Franchise Company, LLC, located at 1210 Northbrook Drive, Suite 310, Trevose, PA 19053 to request a copy of our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the New York Department of Law.