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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Franchise

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard was founded in 1984 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and has grown into the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, with more than 600 locations across the United States and internationally. The brand began franchising in 1989 and operates a corporate Cool Support Center in Trevose, Pennsylvania.

The menu is built around two core products: Italian Ice, made fresh daily in-shop with real fruit, and Frozen Custard. These combine into a broad lineup of treats including Gelati, Blendini, and seasonal offerings across more than 80 flavors. The format requires no cooking equipment or fryers, and most shops run with two to five team members per shift, keeping labor costs and operational complexity low.

Rita’s operates across traditional walk-in shops and drive-thru formats. Drive-thru locations have delivered notably stronger performance than standard storefronts and are a growing part of the expansion strategy. Many units operate seasonally, though drive-thru sites and warmer-climate markets support year-round trade. The brand is under private equity ownership and is expanding actively, with particular focus on the Sunbelt, Texas, and mid-Atlantic markets.

Latest Resales

Why buy a Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Franchise?

Choosing to buy a Rita’s Ice Custard Happiness franchise means buying into one of the most recognized names in the US frozen dessert category, with four decades of consumer loyalty behind the product. The no-cook, no-fryer format keeps cost of goods low and simplifies staffing, while a menu of more than 80 flavors and seasonal limited-time offerings drives repeat visits. Drive-thru locations have shown notably stronger performance than standard storefronts, making format type a key consideration when evaluating specific units.

Franchisees receive national marketing campaigns, local marketing toolkits, a branded mobile app and loyalty programme, and third-party delivery integration. Ongoing field coaching from Franchise Consultants and the Rita’s University programme provide operational guidance throughout the life of the unit. Multi-unit development is actively supported by the franchisor.

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1984

    • Franchising Since

      1989

    • New Startup Cost

      $315,233 – $770,542

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $35,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      50%

      of then-current Initial Franchise Fee (same shop type)

    • Royalty Fee

      6.50%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      3%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      569

    • New Units Opened *

      30

    • Units Transferred *

      31

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming franchisees complete 40 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training through the Rita's University programme. The Cool Support Center in Trevose, Pennsylvania, coordinates ongoing operational, marketing, and supply chain resources, backed by field-based Franchise Consultants. Franchisees access a mobile app, loyalty programme, and integrated third-party delivery platforms. Ongoing support includes national advertising campaigns and local marketing toolkits. Resale buyers should confirm what onboarding and Rita's University access transfer to incoming ownership when the unit changes hands.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Rita's owner is a community-oriented operator comfortable managing a small team in a customer-facing retail environment. No food-service experience is required; the no-cook menu and the Rita's University programme make the model accessible to first-time buyers. Owners who perform well tend to be strong at local customer engagement and active in community outreach, with an ability to manage seasonal staffing cycles. Those interested in multi-unit growth will find the franchisor actively supports area development.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Rita's has earned placement across multiple industry rankings in 2025: #273 on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500, #211 on Restaurant Business's Top 500, #232 on Franchise Times Top 400, and named to QSR magazine's 16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025. The brand's four decades of consumer presence and strong guest loyalty have built lasting recognition in the frozen dessert category. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the local reputation of the specific unit, including community visibility and customer reviews.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US frozen desserts market was valued at approximately $21.7 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 10.6% compound annual rate through 2033, according to Grand View Research. Demand is driven by consumer appetite for customizable, lower-calorie treats; Italian Ice appeals to health-conscious customers as a fat-free, cholesterol-free option. The category has shown resilience across economic cycles. Seasonality is a structural factor: resale buyers should assess how a specific location's climate, format type, and local competition shape its annual trading window.

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