Rita's Italian Ice Sweetens Valentine's Day with NYC Debut and Cool New Flavor

TREVOSE, Pa., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day in New York City is usually chilly, but this year New Yorkers will experience a V-Day that is icy in more ways than one. Rita's Italian Ice, the nation's largest Italian Ice concept, will open its first-ever New York City location on February 14.

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Located at 2486 Broadway between 92nd and 93rd on the Upper West Side, the new store will be open year-round to ensure that New Yorkers can always get their fill of Rita's signature "Ice, Custard and Happiness."

As a special Valentine's Day grand opening treat, all visitors to Rita's new Manhattan location will receive a FREE regular-size Italian Ice on February 14 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. in the available flavor of their choice. Special Valentine's-themed flavors for the day will include Wild Black Cherry, Passion Fruit and the worldwide debut of Chocolate Chocolate Chip.

Additionally, the first 100 guests to visit Rita's newest location will receive FREE Regular Ice for an entire year!

Rita's Loves New York … and the Teitelbaum Brothers

Rita's Manhattan franchise owners and brothers Joshua and Noah Teitelbaum are quite familiar with Philadelphia, where the Rita's brand was founded in 1984. Josh earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and Noah received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia. When it came time for a career change, Josh and Noah, both attorneys, decided that it was time to bring Rita's to their hometown.

"My brother and I wanted to do something we really loved while interacting with people and having fun," Josh said. "I have great memories of Rita's from my college days, and we always complained that there wasn't one in New York City. Noah and I decided this was our chance to change that and bring Rita's to the Big Apple."

The brothers signed a three-store agreement with Rita's which will result in the opening of two other Manhattan sites. Locations on the Upper East Side and Murray Hill are expected to open in 2011.

Taste the Love: New Chocolate Chocolate Chip Flavor Debuts in NYC

New Yorkers will be thrilled when they get their first taste of a Rita's Ice. Made fresh daily at each location and available in more than 40 fun and refreshing flavors, Rita's Italian Ices are much smoother than a snow cone and combine ice with real fresh fruit. Rita's Ices are fat-free, cholesterol free, and trans-fat free.

New for 2010 is Chocolate Chocolate Chip, making its global debut in the New York store on Valentine's Day. Rita's answers a chocoholic's dream with this delectable combination of rich Chocolate Italian Ice and mini chocolate chips.

Rita's offers guests more than just Italian Ice. The Manhattan location's menu includes the full array of Rita's frozen treat options including Rita's Famous Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, cones and gelatis (a layering of Italian Ice and custard), as well as Rita's signature Misto® (a blended shake of Ice and custard), Ritaccino® (Ice and custard swirled with coffee flavor) and the Blendini® (custard and Ice blended with candy bits or pretzels).

For the health-conscious, Rita's offers its "Light Line" of healthier treats which includes sugar-free Italian Ice flavors and Slenderita®, a fat-free soft serve.

Spreading the Love

Rita's has more than 550 stores in 18 states, including several other New York state locations with plans to open over 40 stores in 2010.

"Rita's arrival in New York City is an exciting milestone for our concept and demonstrates our continued growth," said Jim Rudolph, chairman and chief executive officer of Rita's Franchise Company. "Energetic entrepreneurs like the Teitelbaum brothers are a great fit for us, and we look forward to partnering with them as they grow the Rita's brand in New York."

"New Yorker's have some of the most discerning taste buds in the world, and access to one of the widest selections of cuisine," said Noah Teitelbaum.  "We have no doubt that they will take to Rita's instantly, and demand to know what took so long to bring it here."

About Rita's Franchise Company

Rita's Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, PA, is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 18 states with more than 550 stores. Rita's brand promise is Ice, Custard and Happiness. The chain offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, and layered Gelati, healthy Light Line treat options as well as its signature Misto and Blendini creations. Rita's was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal's 'Startup Journal.' In a 2009 Zagat survey of over 6,000 fast-food fans, Rita's was ranked #2 in the Top Ice Cream/Custard category. For more information about Rita's, please call 1-800-677-RITA or visit www.ritasice.com.  The world needs more Rita's!

SOURCE Rita's Italian Ice