Rita’s Expands to 26th State with First of 30 Stores Opening in Albuquerque in March 2015
Rita’s Italian Ice, the world’s largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores, announced it has awarded franchise and area development agreements for New Mexico and three cities in southern Colorado, Durango, Pagosa Springs and Trinidad, to RNM Management, Inc., owned by Dave and Mark Gaulden, Albuquerque residents and long-time entrepreneurs. As Rita’s expands to their 26th state, plans call for 30 stores to be developed over eight years with the first location planned for Albuquerque in March of 2015. According to Mark Gaulden, the company plans on developing Albuquerque and Santa Fe with 14 company owned stores and sub-franchising the remaining areas of the territory.
Besides bringing “Ice, Custard, Happiness” and “Cool Treats” to New Mexico, plans call for the creation of over 700 new jobs by hiring “Treat Team” members from each of the local communities surrounding every new Rita’s. The first New Mexico Rita’s store, opening March 2015 in Albuquerque, will employ approximately 20 Treat Team members from the local area.
“We want to bring something new and exciting to New Mexico and can’t wait to start spreading Rita’s Ice-Custard-Happiness here!” said Mark Gaulden, Area Developer. “Everyone will find their own favorite treat like mine, a Mango Gelati – a layering of fresh Mango Italian Ice and creamy Old-Fashioned Vanilla Frozen Custard. Gelati is the best of both worlds and it just so happens to be Rita’s #1 treat!”
Rita’s Italian Ice, which is celebrating 30 years in business, has been aggressively expanding across the United States and internationally. Last year Rita’s opened its first-ever International store in Shenzhen, China, and this year will see the opening of Rita’s in Canada and the Philippines. Rita’s goal is to open 85 stores across the United States this year and next year its first store in New Mexico, which is Rita’s 26th state for the über-popular brand. For more information on purchasing your own Rita Italian Ice franchise, please visit www.ownaritas.com
“Rita’s is proud to award a franchise development agreement to the Gauldens to accelerate Rita’s growth throughout New Mexico and southern Colorado,” said Eric Taylor, Chief Development Officer of Rita’s. “We’re confident Rita’s cool treats will be an instant hit among consumers in New Mexico’s year-round warm weather.”
Rita’s has been dedicated to serving up a big dose of happiness with their smooth and delicious frozen treat, made fresh daily, with real fruit in more than 65+ flavors, since 1984. Soon Guests in New Mexico can choose from Rita’s Ice flavors including the most popular, Mango, Cherry, Alex’s Lemonade, Swedish Fish, and STARBURST Strawberry, just to name a few! If Guests want a bit more decadent treat, Rita’s Cream Ice, is offered in silky smooth flavors. Health-conscious Guests can still enjoy a taste of Rita’s with Sugar-free Italian Ice and Light Vanilla Frozen Custard.
Rita’s, the “Home of Cool Treats,” offers many delicious options that combine their famous Italian Ice and award-winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, including layered Gelati, blended Misto Shake, and a personalized Blendini which mixes Italian Ice, Frozen Custard and a delicious topping. Rita’s also has unique Milkshakes made with Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, available in a variety of flavors. Frozen Custard Cakes and Custard Cookie Sandwiches made with OREO are also available for guests to take home to enjoy.
Rita’s Italian Ice in New Mexico will feature the same great combination of fresh made Italian Ice in a clean, fun atmosphere that patrons have loved since the first Rita’s location opened in Philadelphia in 1984, thirty years ago this year!
Rita’s Franchise Company, whose business is treats and mission is happiness, was founded 30 years ago, and is headquartered in Trevose, PA. Rita’s is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, with over 600 stores in the U.S., and 85 more opening soon, with its first international stores now open in China, and opening soon in Canada and the Philippines. The thirty-year old brand is continuing to grow domestically and internationally. For franchise opportunities visit: www.ownaritas.com.
The popular chain offers a variety of “Cool Treats” including its famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily with real fruit, available in over sixty-five flavors including Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, Sundaes, Light Custard, Frozen Custard Cakes, Custard Cookie Sandwiches made with OREO, layered Gelati as well as its signature Misto and Blendini creations. Since 1984, Rita’s has been dedicated to serving up a big dose of happiness with their freshly made, delicious, custom treats, in a fun-filled atmosphere, and thirty years later, they are still spreading “Ice, Custard, Happiness!” Get Rita’s. Get Happy!
Rita’s is ranked #1 in Nation’s Restaurant News “Consumer Pick’s 2014” for Service and Value in the Frozen Treat category and 14th overall in the Limited-Service category. Rita’s was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal’s “Startup Journal”, and ranks #81 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Franchise 500” list. For more information about Rita’s Franchise Opportunities please visit: www.ownaritas.com or for more information please call 1-800-677-7482 or visit www.ritasice.com.
