Business Description

Rita's brand promise is Ice, Custard and Happiness™. They offer a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard and layered Gelati as well as its signature Misto™ and Blendini™ creations.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1984

Franchising Since:  1989

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	486	98.4%
Company-Owned Units:	8	1.6%
Total Operating Units:	494	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 494 100% In 15 States Canada: 0 0% In 0 Canadian Provinces International: 0 0% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 494 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. Delaware	0
2. New Jersey	0
3. Pennsylvania	0

Registered in Following Registration States: Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$250K
Cash Investment:	$75K
Total Investment:	$198.15-445.9K
Average Total Investment:	$322K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$35K
Average Franchise Fee:	$35K
On-Going Royalty:	6.5%
Average Royalty:	6%
Advertising Fee:	2.5%

Average Number of Employees: 3 Full-time, 14 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,000-1,500

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building, Strip Center

Other Sites: Transportation Centers & Universities

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: Yes

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	3
General Business Experience:	3
Specific Industry Experience:	3
Formal Education:	3
Psychological Profile:	2
Personal Interview(s):	5
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	10 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 0 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	Yes
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	90
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Indirect
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	Yes
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. Corporate Office	6 Days
2. On-Site	2-4 Days
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 100 U.S.: Yes, East of Mississippi Canada: No Overseas: No	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Rita's Italian Ice.