The Buzz
When you’ve been around as long as Rita’s, you’re going to generate a little buzz. And sometimes a lot. Our delicious Italian ices and frozen custard are so unique in the frozen dessert marketplace that they really stand out in a sea of ice cream and frozen yogurt franchises.
With our menu of frozen treats, which are all some combination of our Italian ices and frozen custards, we’ve developed a true cult following over the years. That’s evident in our seasonal stores when they celebrate Opening Day every spring with Rita’s fans lined up around the block. Our successful track record in growing this unique business has attracted the attention of many national trade magazines as well as Hollywood.
Here’s a look at some of the awards Rita’s has garnered over the years:
Entrepreneur magazine
Ranked as one of Entrepreneur’s 2019 Top 200 Food-Based Franchise
Ranked No. 41 of 150 Top 2019 Franchises for Veterans
Named as one of Entrepreneur’s 2018 Top Franchises for Veterans
No. 99 on Entrepreneur’s 2017 Top Franchise Brands
Ranked No. 46 on Entrepreneur’s 2017 Top Franchises for Veterans
Military Times
Ranked No. 33 on Military Time’s Best for Vets: Franchises 2016, 2018
Franchise Gator
No. 29 on Franchise Gator Top 100, 2015
Nation’s Restaurant News
Ranked No. 1 in Nation’s Restaurant News “Consumer Pick’s 2014” for Service and Value
Ranked No. 14 overall in the Limited-Service category, 2014
Ranked No. 2 in “Chains ranked by likelihood of customer return”
Zagat
Rated No. 1 Best Custard/Ice Cream, 2012
The Wall Street Journal
Top 25 Franchise High Performer, 2006
Lights, camera, action
Rita’s Italian Ice has also been featured on the hit NBC drama “This Is Us” and was the go-to treat when HGTV’s Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, visited Nashville to help build homes for two families as part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Home is the Key” campaign.