Rita's Franchise Company
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC operates a franchise system of approximately 578 Italian Ice and Frozen Custard shops across the United States. Founded in 1984, the company licenses franchisees to operate retail locations under the Rita's brand, generating revenue through royalties, advertising contributions, and initial franchise fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersFeasterville Trevose, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rita's Franchise Company does
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC is a Pennsylvania-domiciled franchisor of the Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard brand, founded in 1984 by Bob Tumolo and headquartered in Trevose. The company licenses third-party franchisees to operate retail shops built around two signature base products—Italian Ice (made fresh daily in-shop with real fruit) and Frozen Custard (richer and creamier than traditional ice cream)—which combine into a broader menu including Gelati, Blendini, Frozen Coffee, Sundaes, Concretes, Frozen Lemonade, and Sugar-Free variants. As of September 30, 2025 the system comprised 578 outlets (569 franchised plus 9 company-owned) across the United States, with shop formats spanning Standard, Drive-Thru, Express, satellite, and mobile units. The brand was acquired by Argosy Private Equity in December 2016 and exited in December 2024 after the franchisor more than doubled EBITDA; current ownership is not publicly disclosed.
The franchise model requires minimum financial qualifications of $150,000 cash and $400,000 net worth. Total initial investments range from $199,005 for an Express Shop to $915,536 for a Standard Shop with Drive-Thru. Rita's earns revenue through a continuing royalty fee of 6.5% of gross sales, a 3% national advertising contribution on gross sales, and one-time initial franchise fees of $15,000-$35,000 depending on format and whether the agreement is a multi-unit development deal. Franchisee support infrastructure includes the Cool University initial training program (online, classroom, and in-shop), the TOPS operational performance framework, and dedicated Franchise Consultant pairing for each operator. Digital touchpoints include a proprietary mobile app, loyalty program, and third-party delivery integrations; Rita's also supports catering and mobile unit activity at the franchisee level.
Average-performing drive-thru shops generate roughly $508,897 in gross sales versus $366,957 for standard shops (about 39% higher), while the top third of units averaged $558K in 2025, up 72% since 2018. The category context is a U.S. frozen dessert industry estimated at $37 billion with an expected 10.6% CAGR through 2033. Rita's was ranked No. 260 on the 2024 Franchise Times Top 400 list (up 17 spots year over year) and recognized in 2025 as one of the nation's top-performing restaurant brands.
Rita's Franchise Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rita's Franchise Company
- Legal name
- Rita's Franchise Company, LLC
- Website
- https://ownaritasfranchise.com/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Rita's Franchise Company, LLC operates a franchise system of approximately 578 Italian Ice and Frozen Custard shops across the United States. Founded in 1984, the company licenses franchisees to operate retail locations under the Rita's brand, generating revenue through royalties, advertising contributions, and initial franchise fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rita's Franchise Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Frozen Dessert Franchise
- NAICS
- Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (31152)
- SIC
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Soft-Serve & Custard Stands (THAFAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts (CRADACAE), Frozen & Refrigerated Snack Foods (Ice Cream Novelties, Snack Bites) (CRADABAL)
Keywords
Where Rita's Franchise Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Feasterville Trevose
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rita's Franchise Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Franchise Royalties: Continuing royalty fee of 6.5% of gross sales from franchised locations
- Initial Franchise Fees: One-time franchise fees ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 depending on shop format and multi-unit development agreements
- National Advertising Contribution: 3% of gross sales contributed to national advertising programs
- Franchise Sales: Revenue from selling new franchises for shop development across available territories
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Standard Shop without Drive-Thru |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Standard Shop with Drive-Thru |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Express Shop |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Initial Franchise Fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Franchise Royalty |
| Subscription | Monthly | National Advertising |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Rita's Franchise Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC franchises the Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard brand and operating system to entrepreneurs and multi-unit developers. Franchisees operate quick-service retail shops that sell Italian Ice, frozen custard, Gelati, Blendini, Concrete, sundaes, frozen coffee, and frozen lemonade. The company also operates a small number of company-owned locations and supports the network through training, supply chain, marketing, and digital ordering tools.
Product overview
Rita's Franchise Company operates a franchise system built around two signature base products—Italian Ice (freshly made daily with real fruit) and Frozen Custard (richer and creamier than traditional ice cream)—which combine to create the full menu of frozen treats. The menu includes signature items like the Gelati (layers of custard and Italian Ice), Blendini, Sundaes, Concretes, Frozen Coffee, Frozen Lemonade, and Sugar-Free options. Rita's offers multiple franchise shop formats: Standard shops (with and without drive-thru) and Express shops. The company also provides digital products including a proprietary mobile app and loyalty program, along with comprehensive franchisee support through programs like Cool University and the TOPS (Total Operational Performance Success) program. The system includes over 80 flavors and seasonal LTOs, with approximately 578 total outlets as of September 30, 2025 (569 franchised locations and 9 company-owned shops).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Italian Ice
Quantifiable outcome
- Top third performing shops averaged $558K in sales in 2025, up 72% since 2018
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Rita's Franchise Company
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rita's Franchise Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Rita's Franchise Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Rita's Franchise Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Graeter's Ice Cream: Graeter's is a smaller, premium franchise ice cream brand with regional Midwestern roots and growing retail/grocery distribution. It is comparable to Rita's as a frozen dessert franchise but with a more limited footprint and grocery-retail overlap.
- Handel's Homemade Ice Cream: Handel's is a smaller franchise chain of handmade premium ice cream shops concentrated in the Midwest and East Coast. It competes for similar guest occasions and franchisee candidates, though at meaningfully smaller scale than Rita's.
Direct peers
- Marble Slab Creamery: Marble Slab Creamery is a franchise-based premium ice cream chain offering made-to-order frozen creations on a frozen marble slab. Its franchise model, dessert-only positioning, and shop-level customization closely mirror Rita's operating concept.
- Andy's Frozen Custard: Andy's is a franchise chain specializing exclusively in frozen custard, with drive-thru-first locations across the Midwest and South. It is one of the closest single-product comparables to Rita's frozen custard offering and competes for franchisee capital and end-consumer visits.
- Bruster's Real Ice Cream: Bruster's is a franchise ice cream chain with shop-level production of premium ice cream and frozen desserts. It competes for similar franchisee profiles and end-consumer occasions in the East Coast and Southeast markets where Rita's has density.
- Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Freddy's is a franchise concept combining frozen custard with a broader savory menu (steakburgers, hot dogs). It overlaps with Rita's on custard and drive-thru formats while extending into QSR, making it a relevant adjacency peer.
- Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen is a franchised frozen treat and quick-service restaurant chain serving soft-serve ice cream, Blizzards, and a broader food menu through ~7,000 U.S. locations. It is the most direct competitive comparable to Rita's in the franchised frozen dessert category.
- Culver's: Culver's is a Midwestern franchise chain best known for frozen custard plus a full ButterBurger QSR menu. With ~900+ locations it is a larger but closely analogous custard-anchored franchise system competing for similar franchisees and guests.
- Cold Stone Creamery: Cold Stone Creamery is a franchise-based premium ice cream concept serving custom-mixed ice cream creations. Like Rita's, it operates as a dessert-focused franchise system with similar store formats, target customers, and product customization model.
- Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins is the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, operating a global franchise system of ~2,500 U.S. locations. It directly competes with Rita's for the frozen dessert customer occasion with a similarly franchised operating model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rita's Franchise Company social profiles
Digital presenceRita's Franchise Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rita's Franchise Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Rita's Franchise Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rita's Franchise Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rita's Franchise Company
What does Rita's Franchise Company do?
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC franchises the Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard brand and operating system to entrepreneurs and multi-unit developers. Franchisees operate quick-service retail shops that sell Italian Ice, frozen custard, Gelati, Blendini, Concrete, sundaes, frozen coffee, and frozen lemonade. The company also operates a small number of company-owned locations and supports the network through training, supply chain, marketing, and digital ordering tools.
Is Rita's Franchise Company a public or private company?
Rita's Franchise Company is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Rita's Franchise Company founded?
Rita's Franchise Company was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Rita's Franchise Company based?
Rita's Franchise Company is headquartered in Feasterville Trevose, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rita's Franchise Company make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Franchise Royalties are the primary driver. The others are initial Franchise Fees, national Advertising Contribution and franchise Sales.
Who are Rita's Franchise Company's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Graeter's Ice Cream and Handel's Homemade Ice Cream. Direct peers are Marble Slab Creamery, Andy's Frozen Custard, Bruster's Real Ice Cream, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Dairy Queen, Culver's, Cold Stone Creamery and Baskin-Robbins.
Does Rita's Franchise Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rita's Franchise Company.
What industry is Rita's Franchise Company in?
Rita's Franchise Company's product category is Frozen Dessert Franchise. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAGAC, Soft-Serve & Custard Stands, with a secondary code of CRADACAE, Ice Cream & Refrigerated Desserts. Its NAICS code is 31152 and its SIC code is 2024.