Rita's Italian Ice Awards Largest Area Franchise Development Ever

TREVOSE, Pa., Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Italian Ice®, the world's largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores, has awarded its largest area franchise development agreement ever to Rita's GP, LLC, a business unit of a diverse business development group based in Old Town San Diego. Like so many others in San Diego, one of the partners is a transplant from the Philadelphia area, turned local San Diego entrepreneur.  Experiencing Rita's for more than 17 years while living in the Philly area, they realized it was time to bring Rita's refreshing Italian Ice, Frozen Custard and "Happiness" from the City of Brotherly Love to points west so all San Diegans can enjoy.  Rita's GP, LLC, plans to open more than 70 Rita's stores in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The development schedule outlines over 30 stores alone in San Diego County, over the next 5 years; beginning with the first Rita's opening in Chula Vista at Bonita Point Plaza in March, 2014.

In the following months, Rita's stores will open in Santee, Escondido, Rancho Penasquitos, Vista, Oceanside, Scripps Ranch, San Marcos and soon thereafter, a neighborhood near you!

Rita's Italian Ice, which is celebrating 30 years in business, has been aggressively expanding across the United States, west to California as well as internationally.  In November, Rita's opened its first-ever International store in Shenzhen, China, and last year, other franchisees opened the first California Rita's stores in Carlsbad, Mission Viejo, Redondo Beach, Santa Clarita and Santa Monica.

"Rita's is proud to award our largest area development territory to date to Rita's GP, LLC," said Jeff Moody, Chief Executive Officer of Rita's Franchise Company.  "They are building a world class company and as such have brought in industry veteran Kurt Kuyper as Director of Operations.  Kurt will lead the team as they accelerate Rita's growth throughout San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in California."  

"We're thrilled to be bringing Rita's Ice-Custard-Happiness to San Diego and the Inland Empire," said Kurt Kuyper.  "The Rita's offering is unlike anything San Diegans have experienced...they're in for a real 'Sweet Treat' and we're excited about the potential explosive growth Rita's will experience as we introduce 'Italian Ice',  our Award-Winning Soft-Serve Frozen Custard and our oh-so-popular combination of the two – our famous Gelati."

Besides bringing the 30 year old, uber-popular Italian Ice brand to San Diego, Rita's will be creating more than 400 new jobs within their 30 San Diego area locations.  Now that's happiness!  Rita's San Diego is now hiring for their Chula Vista, Escondido, and Vista locations with more opportunities soon in Oceanside, San Marcos, Santee and Rancho Penasquitos.  Interested applicants should visit:  https://www.facebook.com/RitasofSanDiego.  For more information about Rita's GP, LLC and the San Diego Market store openings, visit https://www.facebook.com/RitasofSanDiego or email [email protected].

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 San Diego can choose from Rita's Ice flavors including the most popular, Mango, Cherry, Alex's Lemonade, Swedish Fish®, and Cotton Candy, 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 flavors also available. 

Rita's is the "Home of Cool Treats" and offers many delicious options in addition to Italian Ice, including Misto® Shakes, a combination of Italian Ice and Custard blended into a cool, creamy, delicious customizable treat, a personalized Blendini®, which is Frozen Custard and Italian Ice with your choice of mix-ins such as Snickers® blended together or, a Gelati, with your choice of Italian Ice layered with creamy Frozen Custard. Milkshakes, Sundaes and Light Vanilla Custard, Frozen Custard Cakes and Custard Cookie Sandwiches are other examples of the unique treats Rita's has on their menu.

About Rita's Franchise Company
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 and its first international stores now open in China, and opening soon in Canada.  The thirty-year old brand is continuing to grow nationally and internationally through franchise opportunities.

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, "Ice, Custard, Happiness," has been the brand's motto, and thirty years later, Rita's is still dedicated to serving up a big dose of happiness with their freshly made, delicious, custom treats, in a fun-filled atmosphere.  Get Rita's. Get Happy!

Rita's was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal's "Startup Journal" and named Top 100 on Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 500 Franchise Rankings" in 2012.  For more information about Rita's please call 1-800-677-7482 or visit www.ritasice.com or www.ownaritas.com  

SOURCE Rita's Italian Ice