Dignitaries Honor Rita’s 30 Years in Business and Celebrate at First Store
Rita’s Italian Ice, the world’s largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores, celebrated 30 years in business today with a birthday party and an official celebration at 1227 Bristol Pike, home to Rita’s very first store which opened in 1984. Mayor Joe DiGirolamo of Bensalem issued a proclamation at noon making May 7th “Rita’s Italian Ice Day”. Other dignitaries on hand issued citations officially declaring it “Rita’s Italian Ice Day” today, including District Director, Kerry Judge from the Senate of Pennsylvania, Philip Innamorato on behalf of Senator Pat Toomey, Kurt Imhof on behalf of Senator Robert Casey, and Ryan Skoczylas from the House of Representatives. Jeff Moody, Chief Executive Officer of Rita’s Italian Ice, gave a gracious speech to thank all the Guests who attended the momentous occasion. The First 30 Guests in line won a birthday prize pack, danced the “Happiness” dance with Rita’s mascot, Ice Guy, enjoyed birthday cake and a refreshing cup of Rita’s new Wild Berry Italian Ice, created especially for Rita’s 30th Birthday, which was scooped by the dignitaries.
“This is a very historic day for Rita’s,” said Moody. “In 1984 Bob Tumolo opened this very first Rita’s here in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He began selling the Italian Ice made fresh daily from this small porch window, adding chunks of fresh fruit, and perfecting the flavors and unique consistency of our signature Italian Ice. Two of the first flavors were lemon and cherry which were very popular, and it was soon realized that a wide variety of flavors, virtually anything you can imagine, can be turned it into a refreshing Italian Ice. Today, Rita’s serves over 65 flavors, with the #1 fan favorite worldwide being Mango.”
Rita’s popularity has caught on and now, 30 years later, has grown to over 600 stores in 24 states in the United States and in October, Rita’s opened in China, the first international Rita’s, making it the World’s largest Italian Ice brand! This year will mark the opening of Rita’s in Canada and the Philippines. Rita’s goal is to open 85 stores across the United States this year.
Rita’s has recently been ranked #1 by 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 also recently ranked #81 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Franchise 500” list and Top Frozen Treat Brand by Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Top Most Trusted Brands”.
“We couldn’t have had the success of the past 30 years without those who care just as much about this brand as we do,” exclaimed Moody. “Thank you all for making Rita’s part of your community for 30 happy years, and here’s to the next 30.”
In honor of the 30 year milestone, all Rita’s stores are celebrating the 30th Birthday by scooping Rita’s newest freshly-made Italian Ice flavor, Wild Berry, made from a combination of Rita’s real fruit berry flavors: Blueberry, Raspberry and Strawberry. Additionally, the featured Milkshake of the Month is Rita’s Birthday Cake, made with Rita’s award winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard. The delicious Wild Berry Italian Ice and Birthday Cake Milkshake are available for a limited time this May.
Guests are encouraged to enter Rita’s “Berry Wild” 30th Birthday Sweepstakes for a chance to win Free Italian Ice for 30 years! To enter, Guests must visit a Rita’s store and get the secret code word of the week. Once armed with the secret code word, guests visit www.ritasice.com/birthday and enter the 30th Birthday Sweepstakes. Every week the secret code word will change, giving Guests additional chances to win. 21 lucky winners, selected daily, will receive Free Rita’s Ice for a Year, and 1 lucky winner will receive free Rita’s Ice for 30 Years on Sunday, May 18th!
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”, ranks #81 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Franchise 500” list and Top Frozen Treat Brand by Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Top Brands”. 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.
