Franchise Approval Process

Franchise Approval Process

Step 1: Complete and submit the Confidential Application

• The first step to owning your own Rita's franchise is to complete Rita's Confidential Application and submit it to us for preliminary approval.

Step 2: Franchise Licensing Manager Call

• After preliminary approval of your Confidential Application, the next step is to discuss your plans and the information from your completed Confidential Application with one of our Franchise Licensing Managers. You will also be given an overview of the Rita's Italian Ice franchise opportunity.

Step 3: Franchise Disclosure Document and Due Diligence

• After you have discussed the opportunity with your Franchise Licensing Manager and if you are interested in continuing the process towards owning a Rita's Italian Ice, we will provide you with our franchise disclosure document, commonly referred to as the FDD. This document is required by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and certain state laws and explains in detail a Rita's franchise. Thoroughly review this document which contains highly pertinent information regarding our company's background, our franchise business program, and preview copies of any documents you may sign when becoming a franchisee.
• Make arrangements to speak with some of our Franchise Partners to discuss the franchise opportunity and their personal experiences as Rita's Franchise Partners.

Step 4: Participate in an Evaluation Call

• One of our Franchise Service Managers will conduct an evaluation call to answer any questions you may have and to conduct an interview to ensure that becoming a Rita's Italian Ice Franchise Partner will be a beneficial arrangement for all of us.

Step 5: Attend a Rita's Discovery Day at our Cool Support Center

• Once you have completed a successful Evaluation Call, your next step will be to visit our corporate office in Trevose, PA., a suburb of Philadelphia.
• At that time you will interview with Rita's executive committee and meet with members of our corporate support team to learn their department's role in the franchise partner support system and to understand their role in the planning and opening of new stores. You will also tour our franchise partner training facility, "Cool University".

Step 6: Sign Franchise Agreements

• Upon final approval by our executive committee the next step in the process will be the signing of your franchise agreements and paying the franchise fee.
• Once we have countersigned your agreement, you are officially a Rita's Franchise Partner and our franchise team will begin working directly with you to open your store as quickly and efficiently as possible!