Our Passion Project: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

Giving back to our communities is a key value for Rita’s and our franchise owners. Here’s one of our most important charitable partnerships

Shortly before her first birthday Alexandra “Alex” Scott was diagnosed with neuroblastoma a type of childhood cancer.  After receiving a treatment at 4 years old, she announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand. But she wasn’t keeping the money for herself she wanted to donate to help other kids like her. With the help of families across the country Alex raised more than $1 million before she passed away in 2004. Her legacy lives on in the Foundation that bears her name run by her parents Jay and Liz Scott.

Rita’s has been involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation since 2006. We were one of their first large corporate sponsors, and to date we’ve raised over $5 million for Alex’s.

Every year, our franchisees sell paper lemons in their stores. Guests can donate money, write their name on a lemon and decorate a Wall of Hope in each store. Some franchise partners take the fundraising further, such as the franchisee who shaves his head when his store reaches its $20,000 fundraising goal for Alex’s.

It’s incredible to watch how excited and giving and passionate people are towards this Foundation. We’re proud to support it.

Smiling girl in pigtails makes a face like she's eating something sour. Illustration includes sliced lemons, red and white awning border on the left and a cartoon flower

Giving back in other ways

At Rita’s, giving back to worthy causes and supporting the communities that support us has always been a part of who we are. In addition to our brand’s commitment to raising money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, our individual franchisees decide how to give back in their hometowns. Some sponsor youth athletics. Some provide coupons and giveaways to nonprofits, schools or church groups who need help raising money for their projects. As a Rita’s franchisee, that choice will always be up to you.

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.