Rita's Italian Ice - Wikipedia
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dessert shop |
| Genre | Quick Service |
| Founded | May 4, 1984; 41 years ago |
| Founder | Bob Tumolo |
| Headquarters | Trevose, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 594 |
| Area served | 30 U.S. states |
| Key people | Kirk Griswold,ChairmanLinda Chadwick,President & CEO |
| Products | Italian icefrozen custardfrozen treats |
| Revenue | |
| Owner |
|
| Number of employees | 5,000 (2021) |
| Website | ritasice.com |
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard (originally and informally known as Rita's Water Ice), is a privately owned and operated American quick service restaurant chain originating in the Philadelphia metropolitan area that expanded into 30 states, mostly in the Mid-Atlantic region. The chain is known for its Italian ice or water ice[1] and frozen custard,[2] but also offers multiple types of frozen treats and specialty creations.[3]
Rita's opened its first restaurant in 1984 in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, a township outside of Philadelphia, and the company gradually expanded throughout the Philadelphia region before eventually opening locations beyond the Philadelphia area. The company is currently headquartered in Trevose, Pennsylvania. As of June 13, 2025[update], the chain has 594[4] restaurants in 30 states.
History
[edit]
Rita's was founded in May 1984[5] by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo with a recipe that his mother made that he then adjusted to enhance the flavors and include real fruit. Tumolo named the restaurant after his wife, Rita Tumolo.[6] Rita's originally advertised its product as water ice, using the Philadelphia regional term for what is sometimes called Italian ice in other areas of the country. By the summer of 1984, Bob had opened his second store on the opposite side of Pennsylvania, Lake Erie. In 1989, the family decided to franchise their business and expand in other territories.
In May 2005, the company was sold to McKnight Capital Partners, a private equity group with extensive franchise experience.[7][8] McKnight Capital Partners recognized the organization's growth potential and set into place plans to expand the company.[3]
In April 2007, Rita's moved its Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania headquarters to Trevose, Pennsylvania.[9]
In 2011, Falconhead Capital purchased a controlling interest in the company from an investment group led by Jim Rudolph. Falconhead named their operating partner Thomas Christopoul as the new chairman and interim chief executive.[10]

In 2013, Rita's opened its first location outside of the United States in Shenzhen, China.[11]
Rita's has traditionally given out a free regular-sized Italian ice or water ice on the first day of Spring from 1984 to 2019, and since 2022.[12] Rita's did not host a free water ice day on the first day of Spring in 2020–21, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2017, Argosy Private Equity and MTN Capital acquired controlling stake in Rita's from Falconhead Capital.[13]
In June 2025, a Florida-based franchisee of Rita's Italian Ice filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing debts up to $1 million.[14]
In July 2025, another franchisee, Armellino Italian Ices Corp., operating a Rita's Italian Ice franchise in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business operations.[15]
Despite these franchisee difficulties, the corporate entity and the brand as a whole maintained a positive trajectory. In August 2025, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard announced significant mid-year momentum, confirming plans to open nearly 40 new locations throughout 2025. The company stated it was well-positioned for a strong finish to the year.[16]
The brand also continued its promotional and product innovation efforts through the summer of 2025, introducing new seasonal offerings such as the Rocket Pop Italian Ice and the return of its popular Gummy Bear Italian Ice flavor.[17]
Partnerships
[edit]In 2010, Rita's Italian Ice began a partnership with Just Born to offer a seasonal Peeps Brand Marshmallow Candy flavored ice.[18] The Peeps flavor was discontinued in 2011, but was offered in some stores in spring 2017.
Rita's partnered with Cadbury in July 2009 to introduce its Swedish Fish Italian ice flavor.[19] On June 29, 2012, Rita's partnered with Cadbury again to release its Sour Patch Kids Red water ice flavor.[20]
Other companies involved in Rita's water ice flavors include Alex's Lemonade Stand ("Alex's Lemonade" water ice) and Nabisco ("Oreo Cookies and Cream" cream ice and "Mint Oreo" cream ice).[21][22]
See also
[edit]- List of frozen custard companies
References
[edit]- ^ a b Hartford, Jamie (September 2009). "Rita's Water Ice Celebrates 25 Years of Success". QSR Magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
- ^ "Number of Rita's Italian Ice locations in the United States in 2024". ScrapeHero. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
- ^ "Rita's Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Giveaways, Politicians". Phillymag. 2014-05-07. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ^ "About Us - Rita's Ice". Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ "Investment firm acquires Rita's". Philadelphia Business Journal. May 4, 2005.
- ^ "Pittsburgh firm buys Rita's". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 4, 2005.
- ^ Rita's Franchise Company (2007-04-13). "Rita's Franchise Company - Press Releases Detail - Rita's Italian Ice Set to Relocate its Cool Support Center". Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ Associated Press, Bloomberg Businessweek, 1 December 2011. "Falconhead Capital acquires Rita's Water Ice". Accessed 7 December 2011.
- ^ RestaurantNews.com (2013-10-16). "Rita's Italian Ice Opens First International Outlet – Now Scooping in China | RestaurantNews.com". Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Rita's Franchise Company. "Rita's Franchise Company - Events & Promotions - First Day of Spring". Archived from the original on 2010-01-06. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ "Firms Purchase Rita's Franchise Company". QSR magazine. 3 January 2017.
- ^ Dillin, Rachel (2025-06-12). "Frozen Favorites in Trouble as Iconic Chain Files for Bankruptcy". www.mensjournal.com. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Popular Dairy Queen rival franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy". TheStreet.
- ^ "Rita's Italian Ice to Open Nearly 40 New Locations in 2025". Retail & Restaurant Facility Business.
- ^ Gross, Alaina. "Gummy Bear Flavor Returns to Rita's Water Ice With a Sweet Surprise". DELCO.Today.
- ^ Huth, Kelly (2010-03-09). "Rita's Italian Ice to offer Peeps-flavored dessert". PennLive LLC. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ Magazine, Q. S. R. (2009-07-31). "Rita's Rolls Out Swedish Fish Italian Ice". QSR Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Ice, Rita's Italian. "Rita's Italian Ice Introduces SOUR PATCH KIDS Red Italian Ice". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ "Support fight against childhood cancer with new Rita's frozen lemonade". 6abc Philadelphia. 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2025-06-16.
- ^ Custard, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen. "Rita's Partners with OREO® to Expand Cold Brew Frozen Coffee Line and Offers $3 Small Frozen Coffee to Rita's Ice App Users". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2025-06-16.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Rita's Italian Ice at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
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