Rita’s Franchise Company, concept owner of Rita’s Italian Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with more than 550 locations in 18 states, announced the appointment of Jonathan Fornaci as president and CEO, effective immediately. Fornaci brings more than 20 years of operational, retail, franchise chain, and brand experience to his new role with Rita’s […]
Private equity firm Falconhead Capital acquired a controlling stake in Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company, and the interim CEO says the firm plans to grow Rita’s into a major East Coast brand. Thomas Christopoul, an operating partner at Falconhead and now chairman and interim CEO of Rita's, says Rita’s product and following helps it stand […]
Four-week fundraising program sold paper lemons for $1 each; total haul is most the chain has done in five years of participation.
Rita’s joined up with Just Born’s PEEPS Marshmallow Candies to create a new flavor of Italian ice, which led to a huge spike in Rita’s Facebook fan page numbers.
On Valentine’s Day, New York City will open its first Rita’s Italian Ice, and the new store location will also debut Rita’s newest flavor: Chocolate Chocolate Chip.
Three locations to be open in Texas by end of year, with 20 more agreements in development.
In an industry of ever-more-ostentatious offerings, the Italian ice is about as humble as it gets: water, fruit, and sugar. Yet, Rita’s has parlayed that simple formula into a successful franchise business with an enviously loyal customer base. For the country’s largest Italian ice concept, which turns 25 this year, simple is anything but stupid. […]
Italian Ice concept gives away $25,000, trip to Mexico.
June fundraiser raises $451,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
New flavor now available systemwide.
The winner, chosen from nearly 30,000 entries, will receive free Rita’s Italian Ice for one year.
Three stores are set to open in the suburbs of Dallas.
Since Rudolph took the company helm in 2005, Rita’s has seen unprecedented growth–33 stores in 2005; 68 in 2006; and 86 to date in 2007.
Rita’s Water Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice chain, has announced plans to test a new re-loadable gift card that also incorporates a loyalty program into one convenient, customer friendly piece.