Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard franchise for sale in Red Bank, New Jersey
List Price: $180,000 USD
Key Facts
Annual Gross Revenue
$112,872 USD
Cash Flow (SDE)
Less than $25,000
Seasonal Business
Yes
Value of Inventory
Upon Inquiry
Value of Assets
$100,000 – $150,000
Year Established
2023
Business Operates From
A retail location
Location Is
Leased
Approx. Monthly Rent
$3,500
Total Employees
Less than 10
1–3 MonthsTransition
Support
SomewhatPrice/Terms
Flexibility
NoneSeller financing Available
Full-timeOwner
Involvement
About this Business
Rita’s Italian Ice located in beautiful Red Bank, New Jersey is for sale. This popular Italian Ice brand is located in a busy, downtown shopping / entertainment district with high visibility and heavy foot traffic. It is conveniently positioned between several dining options, making it very appealing to the after dinner crowd. The courtyard outdoor seating is an added advantage. This location is known for its premium Italian Ice and its clean and bright, family friendly environment. It has established ties with the community and created a loyal customer base.
The business is fully equipped and operational with all necessary equipment and a fully trained staff in place to ensure a seamless transition for the new owner. This prime location in a vibrant downtown area provides a fantastic opportunity for growth and profitability. Ideal for an entrepreneur seeking to own a trusted brand in a high traffic area within the thriving Red Bank, New Jersey area. This franchise represents a smart investment in the specialty dessert market.
Growth opportunities
There are several opportunities for growth, such as: * Full service catering *School fundraisers *Food cart service *Community events
Owner's Day-to-Day Involvement
Owner operator
Asset Description
Peerless-AV Paramount PA750 monitor mount Samsung QB55B series 55” LED backlit display Clover Station Duo with Cash Drawer and Basic Printer P500 Metro Shelving Display Dipping Cabinet, 8 Hole, Straight Glass Decorated Pan Rack System Dipping Cabinet 8 Hole Refrigerator Double-Solid Door 49 cu ft Merchandiser Freezer 1 section, Glass door with display Back Bar Cooler 59” 3’ Low Profile Castor Rail Asber Salad Top Refrigerator 27” Under Counter Freezer 27” Mix n Chill Drink Mixer Foot Pedal Bar B
Inventory Description
Blueberry/Blue Rasp Mix Cherry Mix Chocolate Mix Chocolate Base Cookies n Cream Mix Cotton Candy Mix Green Apple Mix Lemon Mix Mango Mix Mermaid Mix Peeps Mix Sour Blue Mix Swedish Fish Mix Vanilla Mix Watermelon Mix Wild Cherry Mix Almond Roca topping Andes Mint topping Baby Nerds topping Black Cherries topping Caramel topping Chocolate Chip Cookies Choco Chip Cookie Pieces Chocolate Custard Chocolate Sprinkles topping Cold Brew Chopped Reese Pieces topping Cream Ice Gummy Bears topping
Reason for Selling
Retiring
Why I Love My Franchise
Brand identity and support. Brand Loyalty Marketing support
About Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
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.
Franchisee 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.
Brand Accolades & 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.
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.
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.