This franchised chain of specialty restaurants was founded in 1984 when the first Rita’s store opened in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Rita’s is known for its dessert creations including Italian ice, milkshakes and frozen custard.

The company’s founder, Bob Tumolo, named the restaurant for his wife, Rita, who helped make the titular ice for the first store. The brand spread throughout the area surrounding Philadelphia when Tumolo began selling franchise agreements in 1989.
Company Statistics
Global Sales: $181,918,035US Units: 559International Units: 0Total Units: 559Percent Franchised: 100%% International Units: 0%US Franchised Units: 557International Franchised Units: 0Sales Growth %: 15.5%Unit Growth %: 5.9%