Rita’s Italian Ice is named to Franchise Times 200+ franchise ranking

We’ve got a unique brand, a history of success and a simple business model

Rita’s Italian Ice franchise has been included in the annual Franchise Times Top 200+ ranking based on total global sales performance. Thanks to our unique product line, we already stand out in a world of ice cream franchises, and it’s nice to be recognized for our performance as well.

The annual Franchise Times Top 200+ list “is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort that leads to the most credible and objective franchise ranking available,” said Franchise Times Editor Laura Michaels. Franchise Times published the full list in its October issue, “ranking the 500 largest franchise systems in the United States by global systemwide sales, based on the previous year’s performance.”

Ice cream franchises are a dime a dozen. Frozen yogurt franchises, too. But when you start counting up the Italian Ice and frozen custard franchises, well, let’s just say you won’t really need all your fingers.

We stand out as a happy business, of course, but we stand alone inside that special franchising niche because of our uniqueness of product. We’re very popular in our core Northeastern markets, but we’re also expanding successfully in warmer territories where Rita’s operators can stay open year-round.

Why Rita’s is investment-worthy

As food franchises go, Rita’s is at the top of the no-hassle list. We offer simple operations that don’t even require restaurant experience. Rita’s bases all menu items on two concoctions, frozen custard and Italian ice. There are no cooktops, no ovens, no complicated recipes and no inventory-control and food-waste headaches. Franchisees hire mostly teenagers to run the place.

Rita’s is a seasonal business in many territories with colder winters, such as our core markets in the Northeast, and that gives our operators plenty of downtime to plan their next Rita’s opening or even spend time with loved ones. Every year, when we hold our Grand Re-Opening Day in the spring, people in those markets line up — sometimes in the early spring snow — for their first taste of their favorite reminder that spring and summer are coming.

We’ve been going strong for 35 years, and we’ve got a cult following you tend not to see in the major ice cream franchises. Yes, everyone loves a frozen dessert, but there’s something truly special about Rita’s.

Learn more about the Rita’s opportunity

If you’d like to learn more about the Rita’s franchise opportunity, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the form on this page to access our Franchise Information Center, where you can find detailed financial results, a breakdown of startup costs and in-depth Q&As with Rita’s franchisees. You can also discover more about our brand by exploring our website.