Rita's Italian Ice Introduces STARBURST® Orange Italian Ice

TREVOSE, Pa., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Italian Ice, the world's largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores announced the debut of their newest flavor and co-branded sensation, STARBURST® Orange Italian Ice, for a limited time at all locations beginning at Noon today through April 27, 2014.  Rita's guests can choose from a selection of over 65 flavors of the famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily, including new STARBURST® Orange Italian Ice, which tastes just like the classic popular candy with a juicy burst of orange flavor!

"Our new STARBURST® Orange Italian Ice is the third STARBURST® Italian Ice flavor with the popular candy brand we have introduced," said Laura Lazar, Rita's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "Rita's fans love both our STARBURST® Strawberry and STARBURST® Cherry, and new Orange is the perfect addition to our STARBURST® line-up, and is incredibly delicious!"

Rita's first co-branded flavor with the popular candy brand was STARBURST® Strawberry Italian Ice. When introduced, it was so popular over a million cups were sold!  Rita's introduced a second flavor, STARBURST® Cherry Italian Ice, just a few weeks ago to celebrate the First Day of Spring, with thousands of cups of the co-branded Italian Ice given away!  Beginning today, the third addition to Rita's menu line-up, STARBURST® Orange Italian Ice, is bursting with flavor and is available at all locations through April 27, 2014.  For a list of Rita's locations please visit:  www.ritasice.com.

Show your passion for Rita's and STARBURST® by entering "Rita's STARBURST® Fan Challenge!"  From now until April 27, fans are encouraged to submit a photo or essay showcasing why they love Rita's and STARBURST® for a chance to win cool prizes!  Use hashtag #RitasFanChallenge and "like" Rita's account to submit your entry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!  Contest ends at midnight, Eastern Time, on April 27^th, 2014. One winner will be chosen each week and featured on Rita's social media sites!

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. Rita's first international stores opened in China in November, and more opening soon in Canada.  The thirty-year old brand is continuing to grow nationally and internationally through franchise opportunities. Visit: 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 #1 among 18-24 year olds.  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.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140407/SF99293

SOURCE Rita's Italian Ice