Rita's Italian Ice franchise
Rita's sells Italian ice, frozen custard and layered treats called gelati, with business peaking in spring and summer. Shop owners can add satellite shops and mobile units that draw on the main shop's production. At the end of 2025 there were 578 Rita's Italian Ice locations in the US, 569 franchised and 9 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $315K–$713K
- Franchise fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 6.5%
- Locations, 2025
- 578
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Trevose, Pennsylvania
- Time to open
- 6 to 9 months after signing
- Financing
- None offered
From Rita's Franchise Company, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Rita's Italian Ice franchise costs
Opening a standard Rita's shop without a drive-thru costs an estimated $315,233 to $712,542. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
| Standard shop with a drive-thru | $456,858 to $915,536 |
|---|
Source: Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, 2026 filing, page 25
Rita's Italian Ice franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,000, for a standard or express shop. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, 2026 filing, page 17
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6.5% of gross sales, collected mostly through the price of Rita's mix. |
|---|
Source: Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, 2026 filing, page 19
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Rita's Italian Ice publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 gross sales for shops in top, middle and bottom tiers. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, 2026 filing, page 63
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 546 (+18) | 1 |
| 2024 | 564 (+18) | 5 |
| 2025 | 569 (+5) | 9 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Rita's Franchise Company, LLC, 2026 filing, page 68
How Rita's Italian Ice compares
Of the 12 ice cream franchises on this site, Rita's Italian Ice is the 5th cheapest to open and the 6th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Rita's Italian Ice | Typical ice cream |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $315K | $359K |
| Royalty | 6.5% | 6% |
| Change in franchised locations, 0 yrs | +7.8% | +8.6% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 11 of 12 |
Typical is the median across the 12 brands in ice cream franchises.
Other ice cream franchises
Rita's Italian Ice franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Rita's Italian Ice?
6 to 9 months after signing, according to Rita's Italian Ice's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Rita's Italian Ice help with financing?
No. Rita's Italian Ice does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How does Rita's Italian Ice compare with other ice cream franchises?
Of the 12 ice cream franchises here, Rita's Italian Ice is the 5th cheapest to open (low end $315K against a $359K median) and the 6th largest by number of locations. Its 6.5% royalty is in line with the 6% median.
Does Rita's Italian Ice say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 gross sales for shops in top, middle and bottom tiers. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Rita's Italian Ice based?
Rita's Franchise Company, LLC is based in Trevose, Pennsylvania.