TREVOSE, Pa., April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Italian Ice®, the world's largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores, now in 24 U.S. states and China, announced it will celebrate 30 years in business with the introduction of its new Wild Berry Italian Ice and "Berry Wild" 30^th Birthday Sweepstakes, which allows fans to enter for a chance to win Free Italian Ice for 30 years!

All Rita's stores are celebrating the 30^th 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.  Ask for a sample at your local Rita's now through May 18^th!  Additionally, the featured Milkshake of the Month is Rita's Birthday Cake.  Made with our award winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, the delicious Birthday Cake Milkshake is available for a limited time this May.

Beginning today through Sunday, May 18^th, 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!

"We are truly honored to celebrate this 30^th milestone and invite all our fans to join our celebration and try our new Wild Berry Italian Ice," said Jeff Moody, Rita's Chief Executive Officer.  "Since our humble beginning 30 years ago, Rita's has become a treasured family destination and tradition that celebrates happiness and builds everlasting memories.  We're excited to celebrate 30 years in business by giving a lucky fan 30 years' worth of Rita's Italian Ice!"

Since 1984 Rita's has been dedicated to serving up a big dose of happiness with their smooth and delicious frozen treats, made fresh daily, with real fruit in a selection from over 65 flavors.  The 30-year-old, uber-popular brand will celebrate its 30^th birthday at Rita's first store with Joseph DiGirolamo, the Mayor of Bensalem, PA, officially declaring "Rita's Italian Ice Day," Wednesday, May 7^th, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.

Rita's Italian Ice, which is celebrating 30 years in business, has been aggressively expanding across the United States and internationally.  In October, 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.  For more information on purchasing your own Rita Italian Ice franchise, please visit www.ownaritas.com.

Rita's features 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 Bensalem in 1984, thirty years ago!  

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 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 14^th 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.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140428/81408

SOURCE Rita's Italian Ice