Rita's Italian Ice Awards Area Development Agreement For Minnesota

Twin Cities will have Popular Cool Treat Stores Scooping "Ice, Custard, Happiness" Soon with first in Eagan in Early May

News provided by

Rita's Franchise Company

Apr 16, 2014, 08:10 ET

TREVOSE, Pa., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Italian Ice®, the world's largest Italian Ice concept with over 600 stores, now in 24 states, has awarded franchise and area development agreements for Minnesota to franchisees and area residents, Adam and Angela Ailloni. With wonderful family memories of enjoying Rita's delicious products during trips to the East Coast with their two boys, the Ailloni's decided to bring Rita's "Ice, Custard, Happiness" and "Cool Treats" to the Greater Minneapolis St. Paul area, with the intent of creating a destination for building family traditions that celebrate life and building everlasting memories. Plans call for the first Rita's store opening at Diffley Marketplace, 1016 Diffley Road in Eagan in early May, with their Grand Opening celebration slated for June. The couple plans to open 20 Rita's locations throughout the Twin Cities by 2020.

"We can't wait to start spreading Rita's Ice-Custard-Happiness," said Adam Ailloni, Minnesota Franchisee. "Everyone will find their own favorite treat like mine, Cherry Gelati – a layering of fresh Cherry Italian Ice and creamy Old-Fashioned Vanilla Frozen Custard, or Angela's favorite the Misto – a delicious blend of Italian Ice and Custard. Our two children always go for the Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard Sundaes!"

Rita's of Minnesota plans to employ 15-20 "Treat Team" members from the local community to support the shore in Eagan, catering events, fairs and festivals. Hours of operation will be Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information please visit: www.ritasiceminnesota.com

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 including their first store in Minnesota, which is Rita's 24^th state for the uber-popular brand. For more information on purchasing your own Rita Italian Ice franchise, please visit www.ownaritas.com

"Rita's Minnesota has been requested by fans for years and will become our 24^th state," said Jeff Moody, Chief Executive Officer of Rita's. "Rita's is proud to award the Ailloni's the franchise development agreement for Minnesota, with plans to accelerate Rita's growth throughout the Twin Cities."

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 Eagan can choose from Rita's Ice flavors including the most popular, Mango, Cherry, Alex's Lemonade, Swedish Fish®, and STARBURST® Cherry, 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 Italian Ice and Light Vanilla Frozen Custard.

Rita's, the "Home of Cool Treats," offers many delicious options that combine their famous Italian Ice and award-winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, including layered Gelati, blended Misto® Shake, and a personalized Blendini® which mixes Italian Ice, Frozen Custard and a delicious topping. Rita's also has unique Milkshakes made with Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, available in a variety of flavors. Frozen Custard Cakes and Custard Cookie Sandwiches made with OREO® are also available for guests to take home to enjoy.

Rita's Italian Ice in Eagan will feature 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 Philadelphia in 1984, thirty years ago this year!

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", 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.

SOURCE Rita's Franchise Company