News Archive

2007  |  2006

12.18.2008
Rita’s Reaches Lone Star State

Nation’s largest Italian Ice chain ready to greet Texans in Spring 2009

10.31.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Named One of Top 50 Franchises for Minorities

Rita’s Italian Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice chain with more than 500 stores in 17 states, has been designated one of the top 50 franchises for minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative (NMFI). Established in 2000, the NMFI is committed to increasing minority representation in the franchising industry. As one of the selected franchises, Rita’s will be recognized in The 50 Top Franchises for Minorities report listed in USA Today by NMFI.

09.5.2008
Nation's Largest Italian Ice Chain Now "Ready to Serve" in the Volunteer State

Rita’s is now open for “service” in the Volunteer State with the grand opening of a Rita’s location in the Nashville suburb of Hermitage. With the store’s opening, Tennessee becomes the 16th state to join Rita’s, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept, which currently operates more than 500 locations. Rita’s is expected to open additional Tennessee stores in Johnson City, Knoxville and Mt. Juliet later this year.

08.19.2008
Watch our franchise video!

Check out our franchise video for some insight into what we are all about!

07.21.2008
Rita's Squeezes Pediatric Cancer with $520,000 Donation

Rita’s Water Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept with more than 500 stores across 17 states, today announced that the company raised $520,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) during its signature paper lemon fundraiser.

06.1.2008
Rita’s Paper Lemon Program Gives Childhood Cancer The Squeeze

Rita’s Water Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice concept, today announced the commencement of its third consecutive paper lemon promotion to raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for pediatric cancer research.

05.27.2008
Rita’s Water Ice President Honored with Philadelphia Business Journal’s "40 Under 40" Award

Rita’s Water Ice, the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, today announced that the Philadelphia Business Journal has selected Leonard Valentino, Jr., President of Rita’s Water Ice, as the recipient of its prestigious “40 Under 40” business leadership award.

05.23.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Coming To Illinois

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

05.23.2008
Veterans Heavily Recruited as Franchisees

Memorial Day, a day of giving thanks to veterans, also viewed as an opportunity to showcase the business skills veterans learn in the military.

05.16.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Coming To New York

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

05.16.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Awarding Franchises in Connecticut

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

05.12.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Awarding Franchises!

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

05.9.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Awarding Franchises in North Carolina

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

05.8.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Awarding Franchises in OHIO

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

04.27.2008
Rita’s Italian Ice Is Awarding Franchises in Indianapolis

The number one Italian Ice Franchise moves across the U.S.

02.29.2008
Feed Your Spring "FREE-ver" With Free Italian Ice from Rita's

Thursday, March 20 marks a "sweet" date for Italian Ice lovers, as Rita’s Water Ice, the nation’s largest Italian Ice chain, will hold its 16th annual First Day of Spring Italian Ice giveaway.

02.15.2008
Rita's Water Ice Names Leonard Valentino, Jr. President

Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company, the nation's largest Italian ice chain, today announced that Leonard (Lenny) Valentino, Jr. has been promoted to President, effective immediately. Valentino previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the organization.

02.12.2008
Bev and Greg McNutt Named Rita's Water Ice's Franchise Partners of the Year

Rita's Water Ice is honored to announce that multi-store owners and operators Bev and Greg McNutt of Collegeville, PA, have been named Franchise Partners of the Year.

11.5.2007
Rita's Water Ice Celebrates Major Milestone; Company Opens 500th Store

Rita's Water Ice, the nation's largest Italian Ice concept, today announced the opening of its 500th store, located in Mooresville, North Carolina.

08.15.2007
Pittsburgh Resident Kevin Hurley Named "The Great Blendini" by Rita's Water Ice

Today, Pittsburgh resident and magician Kevin Hurley was officially named "The Great Blendini" by Rita's Water Ice (http://www.ritasice.com), the nation's largest Italian Ice concept.

08.4.2007
Rita's Water Ice Raises $530,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research During July 2007

Rita's Water Ice, (http://www.ritasice.com), the nation's largest Italian Ice concept, today announced that the company has raised $530,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) during its signature paper lemon fundraiser.

06.25.2007
Rita's Water Ice Crushes Childhood Cancer One Lemon at a Time

Rita's Water Ice, the nation's largest Italian Ice chain, is giving childhood cancer the squeeze through a partnership with the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)

05.1.2007
Rita's Water Ice Introduces Its Newest Frozen Creation: Blendini™

All hail the great Blendini™, the newest addition to the Rita's Water Ice menu of tasty frozen treats. The custom-blended concoction is available now at Rita's Water Ice's more than 400 locations.

04.17.2007
Rita's Water Ice Announces Relocation of Rita's Cool University and Opening of Cool University Store

Rita's Water Ice, the largest Italian Ice concept in the country, has announced that it will move its training center--- Rita's Cool University--- to the Showcase Plaza Shopping Center in Bensalem, PA. In addition, the company is opening its adjacent Cool University Store, a fully functioning store that will be open to the public.

04.13.2007
Rita's Water Ice Set to Relocate its Cool Support Center

Rita's Water Ice, the largest Italian Ice concept in the country, has announced that it will move its headquarters - the Cool Support Center - to Trevose, PA in order to accommodate the company's dramatic growth.

04.13.2007
CALLING ALL MAGICIANS...RITA'S WATER ICE IS SEARCHING FOR "THE GREAT BLENDINI"

To help introduce their newest frozen treat, Blendini, Rita's Water Ice is launching an online video contest* to search for America's next great magician.

03.21.2007
Have an ICE Day!

On March 21, Ice + Custard = Happiness at Rita's Water Ice as they celebrate "The First Day of Spring" by giving away a free, 10-ounce Italian Ice to every guest. In its 14th year, this annual Rita's tradition has become a true rite of spring, with more than 3.5 million cups of ice given away since 1994.

02.27.2007
Rita's Water Ice Executive to Join Ranks of Certified Franchise Professionals

Leonard (Lenny) Valentino, Jr., MBA, Chief Operations Officer of Rita's Water Ice, was recognized as a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives after completing a comprehensive course of study in franchise management.

02.7.2007
Rita's Water Ice Promotes Leonard Valentino, Jr. to Chief Operating Officer

Bensalem, PA headquartered Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company, the nation's largest Italian Ice chain, announced that Leonard (Lenny) Valentino, Jr. has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer effective immediately.

06.20.2006
NATION'S LARGEST ITALIAN ICE CHAIN TO RENAME LEMON ICE AFTER YOUNGSTER WHO FOUNDED CHILDHOOD CANCER

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Rita's Ices, Cones, Shakes and Other Cool Stuff, the nation's largest Italian ice chain, will hold a nationwide campaign to raise funds and awareness of childhood cancer. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has been named the official corporate charity for Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company. More than 12,500 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually.

06.14.2006
RITA'S HITS THE ROAD WITH COOL WHEELS, A MOBILE MARKETING TOOL DELIVERING FREE SAMPLES TO NEW MARKET

When faced with the challenge of how to introduce Rita's Italian Ice to those who had never tasted it, the nation's largest Italian Ice chain decided to hit the road – literally.

03.13.2006
RITA'S ITALIAN ICE GIVEAWAY GARNERS RITUAL STATUS

It's a rite of spring not to be missed: Rita's first day of spring Italian ice giveaway. This will be the 13th year of this unique celebration of the Vernal Equinox. Since 1994 Rita's has given away an estimated total of 2.5 million cups of Italian ice on the first day of spring.

03.13.2006
RITA'S EARNS SPOT ON WALL STREET JOURNAL'S ‘STARTUP JOURNAL' ROSTER OF TOP 25 FRANCHISE HIGH PERFORM

Rita's, the nation's largest Italian ice chain has been selected as one of the Top 25 franchise high performers by the Wall Street Journal's "Startup Journal". The publication worked with FRAN data, an Arlington, Virginia based independent franchise research firm to select the top 25.

03.13.2006
RITA'S EARNS SPOT ON WALL STREET JOURNAL'S 'STARTUP JOURNAL' ROSTER OF TOP 25 FRANCHISE HIGH PERFORM

Rita's, the nation's largest Italian ice chain has been selected as one of the Top 25 franchise high performers by the Wall Street Journal's "Startup Journal". The publication worked with FRAN data, an Arlington, Virginia based independent franchise research firm to select the top 25.