Rita’s Italian Ice, the Italian ice concept with over 600 stores in 23 states, has awarded franchise and area development agreements for Kansas and the Kansas City area, which extends to the Missouri side of the city, to franchisees and local residents Jay Miller, Jeff Miller, and Pat Reilly. Having had Rita’s while living in Philadelphia, these three local Wichita, Kansas, residents decided to become franchisees and bring Rita’s to the state. The team also owns a Five Guys Burgers and Fries unit near where the first Rita’s store is now open in Wichita.

Since 1984, Rita’s has been dedicated to serving up custom treats, and thirty years later, the East Coast brand is now in Wichita, Kansas. Rita’s traditional Italian ice is a frozen treat made daily with real fruit and is available in over 65 flavors. The new Rita’s in Wichita will be offering complimentary Regular Rita’s Italian Ice for the whole community to try during the grand opening celebration in May.

“Wichita is a perfect location for Rita’s, next door to Five Guys Burgers and Fries,” says Jeff Miller. “We invite Guests to come try Rita’s and see why we wanted to spread the popular Ice-Custard-Happiness treat brand to Kansas. Everyone will find their own favorite treat like mine, Rita’s Mango Italian Ice, layered with our award-winning Vanilla Old-Fashioned Soft-Serve Frozen Custard and the unique combination of the two—our famous gelati!”

Besides bringing the 30-year-old Italian Ice brand to Kansas, Rita’s of Wichita franchisees will be creating more than 30 new jobs within their Kansas City area locations.

Rita’s Italian Ice, which is celebrating 30 years in business, has been aggressively expanding across the U.S. and internationally.