The Rita's Franchise Opportunity
A nationally recognized frozen dessert brand. A streamlined, scalable model. And a market that keeps growing.
Looking for a Sweet Opportunity?
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard started with a family recipe, a front porch, and a Philadelphia neighborhood that couldn’t get enough. Four decades later, that same recipe is the foundation of one of the most recognizable names in frozen desserts.
For franchisees, that history translates into real brand equity. Guests already know Rita’s, already love it, and keep coming back. Your job is to bring it to your community.
ICE + CUSTARD = HAPPINESS
The Industry
What Makes Rita’s a Good Investment?
$37 Billion
The U.S. frozen dessert industry is a powerhouse, with an annual market of $37 billion.1
10.6% CAGR
The frozen dessert industry is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of at least 10.6% through 2033.2
97% of Consumers
Frozen treats enjoy near-universal appeal in the U.S., 97% of Americans love ice cream and other frozen desserts.3
73% of Consumers Enjoy Frozen Treats Weekly
Data from International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).4
Source Links
- “U.S. Frozen Dessert Market Size,” SkyQuest, 2025
- “U.S. Frozen Desserts Market,” Grand View Research, 2026
- “Ice Cream & Frozen Novelty Trends Survey,” International Dairy Foods Association, 2024
- “Ice Cream Sales & Trends,” International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), 2024
What Does It Cost?
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Rita’s Franchise?
Industry Data
73%
of Consumers Enjoy Frozen Treats Weekly
Your Portfolio
$150,000
Minimum Liquid Capital
Your Investment
$295,233 – $915,536
Initial Investment
What Does It Cost?
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Rita’s Franchise?
How Do I Qualify?
to
Initial Investment
Your Portfolio
See our *FDD dated January 30, 2026, for more information.
A Sweet Model with Strong Cost Control
Cost of Goods Sold
Rita’s is built around a focused menu, a streamlined shop setup, and sweet & tasty products that don’t require fryers, full kitchens, or overly complex back-of-house operations. That simplicity can make a meaningful difference when it comes to costs.
With an average COGS of less than 18% or less for Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), top-performing Rita’s shops showed even stronger efficiency.
Manageable COGS
Average food, paper, and fuel surcharge costs represented an average of 17.3% of sales.
*NOTE: See item 19 of our *FDD dated January 30, 2026, for more information.
Focused Menu
Fresh-made Italian Ice, Frozen Custard, and signature treats without a full kitchen setup.
Efficient Shops
Shops in the top 1/3 in annual sales averaged 16% combinedfood, paper, and fuel surcharge costs.
*NOTE: See item 19 of our *FDD dated January 30, 2026, for more information.
