How Much it Costs to Start a Rita’s

Startup costs vary by location type. Here are some guidelines for what you can expect.

Rita’s startup costs can be quite affordable, especially compared to other food service franchises. This is especially true once you consider the impact of the mobile options that allow you to increase sales opportunities with very modest additional investment.

Types of locations

A standard shop is the most common type of Rita’s shop, and can be operated seasonally or year-round. Standard shops include walk-up and walk-in service models and depending on the location, they may include indoor or outdoor seating. Franchise owners with at least one standard shop can also expand their business with a satellite unit or mobile unit. Adding catering to your services also creates a significant opportunity for increased revenue.

Rita’s also offers the opportunity to purchase Express Units in unique locations which, due to a number of reasons, may not offer the full menu sold at a standard shop. Examples of Express Unit locations include parks, universities, sports arenas, convention centers, airports, transportation terminals, theme parks, military bases and similar.

Financial qualifications

Whichever type of shop you are looking to open, we require a minimum of $100,000 in liquid capital and $300,000 in net worth. Candidates with good credit typically finance most of the startup costs in order to keep extra cash on hand for the first months of operation.

The following charts show estimated startup costs for different development options. Several factors influence the startup costs, which is why there is a large range. All numbers come from Item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). The FDD, which is provided to candidates during the recruitment and mutual evaluation process, contains notes that provide more details about each of the startup costs listed following.

Standard Shop (walk-up/walk-in without drive thru)

Type of ExpenditureAmountMethod of PaymentWhen DueTo Whom Payment is to be Made
Initial Franchise Fee$35,000Lump SumAt signing of Franchise AgreementUs
Lease Deposit$0 - $12,500
Lump SumAt Signing of LeaseLandlord
Leasehold Improvements$103,000 - $321,000
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredSuppliers
Equipment$89,744 - $144,986
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredUs and/or Suppliers
Permits & Licenses$1,239 - $10,000
As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredGovernmental Authorities
Signage$5,500 - $20,104
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredSuppliers
Insurance$200 - $3,920
Lump SumBefore opening, as incurredInsurance Carrier/Broker
Initial Order$8,000 - $17,500
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredUs and/or Suppliers
Minimum New Shop Marketing Expenditure$12,000Lump SumBetween 30 days before opening and 180 days after opening
Us and/or Suppliers
Training$50 - $5,000 As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredFood and lodging providers
Architect and Attorney Fees$3,500 - $12,685
As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredArchitect/Attorney
Additional Funds (3 months)$20,000 - $30,000
As IncurredBefore and after opening, as incurredYour Employees, Suppliers and Creditors
TOTAL$278,333 - $624,695

Standard Shop (walk-up/walk-in with drive thru)

Type of ExpenditureAmountMethod of PaymentWhen DueTo Whom Payment is to be Made
Initial Franchise Fee$35,000Lump SumAt signing of Franchise AgreementUs
Lease Deposit$0 - $12,500
Lump SumAt Signing of LeaseLandlord
Leasehold Improvements$212,537 - $292,000
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredSuppliers
Equipment$108,500 - $154,753
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredUs and/or Suppliers
Permits & Licenses$1,313 - $10,000
As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredGovernmental Authorities
Signage$10,628 - $37,421
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredSuppliers
Insurance$200 - $3,920
Lump SumBefore opening, as incurredInsurance Carrier/Broker
Initial Order$8,000 - $17,500
As AgreedBefore opening, as incurredUs and/or Suppliers
Minimum New Shop Marketing Expenditure$12,000Lump SumBetween 30 days before opening and 180 days after opening
Us and/or Suppliers
Training$50 - $5,000 As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredFood and lodging providers
Architect and Attorney Fees$12,545 - $33,000
As IncurredBefore opening, as incurredArchitect/Attorney
Additional Funds (3 months)$20,000 - $30,000
As IncurredBefore and after opening, as incurredYour Employees, Suppliers and Creditors
TOTAL$420,773 - $643,094

Additional details about all of these startup costs and other store configurations can be found in our Business Model ebook. Download your copy by completing the form below and starting a conversation.

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.