Rita's Italian Ice facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Dessert |
| Founded | May 7, 1984 |
| Founder | Bob Tumolo |
| Headquarters | |
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Number of locations
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600+ |
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Key people
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Kirk Griswold, Chairman Linda Chadwick, President & CEO |
| Products | Italian Ice Frozen Custard |
| Parent | Argosy Private Equity MTN Capital |
Rita's Italian Ice is an American restaurant chain, based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, which sells mainly Italian ice, frozen custard, and specialty creations.
History
Rita's (informally known as "Rita's Water Ice") was founded in May 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo with a recipe that he purchased from an elderly neighbor that he then adjusted to enhance the flavors and include real fruit. Rita's originally advertised its product as "water ice", using the regional term for what is sometimes called "Italian ice" in other areas of the country. By 1987 a second store was opened, and in 1989 the family decided to franchise their business. Today, there are over 600 locations in 30 states and the District of Columbia that serve 45000 people daily. In May 2005, the company was sold to McKnight Capital Partners, a private equity group with extensive franchise experience. McKnight Capital Partners recognized the organization's growth potential and set into place plans to expand the company.
In April 2007, Rita's moved its Bensalem headquarters to the Trevose section of Bensalem Township.
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.
In 2013, Rita's opened its first location outside of the United States in Shenzhen, China.
Rita's has traditionally given out a free regular-sized Italian ice on the first day of Spring. Rita's hasn't done a first day of Spring since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2017, Argosy Private Equity and MTN Capital acquired controlling stake in Rita's from Falconhead Capital.
Products
- Italian ice
- All-Natural Italian ice, trans fat free and gluten free (Strawberry, Pineapple, Banana, Coconut, Cranberry, Cranberry-Pineapple, Cranberry-Strawberry, Orange-Pineapple, Pineapple-coconut, Strawberry-Banana and Strawberry-Pineapple)
- Ice Flight, four ice flavors in a small tray
- Frozen custard( Chocolate, Vanilla, Twist)
- Sidekick Sundae, frozen custard with hot fudge, chocolate chips, a brownie, whipped cream, and a cherry
- Gelati, water ice in between frozen custard
- Misto, a drink of liquid custard blended with water ice
- Frozen Drink, a drink of water and water ice
- Blendini, a combination of frozen custard and water ice blended with a topping
- Concrete, a combination of frozen custard with a topping
- Cream Ice( Mint Chocolate-Chip, Birthday Cake, Cookie Dough, Coconut, S'mores, Blackberry-Cheesecake)
- Slenderita, fat-free soft serve
- Milkshakes (Oreo Cookies & Cream, Oreo Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Strawberry Short-Cake, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Chocolate Heath, Chocolate/Vanilla/Strawberry)
Partnerships
In 2010, Rita's Italian Ice began a partnership with Just Born to offer a seasonal Peeps Brand Marshmallow Candy flavored ice. 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. On June 29, 2012, Rita's partnered with Cadbury again to release its Sour Patch Kids Red water ice flavor.
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).
