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Philadelphia — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is on track to double its 2026 new shop signings. Rita’s has experienced a 100 percent increase in franchise ownership inquiries compared with 2025.
Driven by the brand’s real estate strategy, including second-generation restaurant conversions and drive-thru locations, the concept is expanding outside of its core Mid-Atlantic market to the Midwest and south-central United States. According to Rita’s, drive-thru shops generated 38 percent higher average gross sales in 2025 than comparable non-drive-thru locations.
Founded in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in 1984, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is now the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with more than 600 shops.