Latest news with #Rita's
Business Journals
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Dining news: Rita's Italian Ice launches new flavor; Tela's to close in Fairmount
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Join the Philadelphia Business Journal to unlock even more insights! As one Fairmount restaurant prepares to close, two ice cream shops are readying to open in Rittenhouse Square. With the weather warming up, Stephen Starr's seasonal Parisian cafe is set to return for its fourth year and Center City District is bringing back its annual Sips summer happy hour. Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is adding a new limited-time flavor ahead of summer, and two new ice cream shops are ready to open in Rittenhouse Square. Here's what you need to know about the Greater Philadelphia dining scene this week: GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Rita's launches new flavor Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard added a soda-inspired flavor ahead of the summer season. The Trevose-headquartered dessert maker started selling a limited-time cola Italian Ice at all of its locations across the country on Friday. The new flavor is meant to give customers the taste of "old-school cola nostalgia." Rita's new flavor will also be served in a Cola Float Gelati, made with layers of cola Italian Ice and vanilla frozen custard, and a Twisted Cola Blender that tops the cola Italian ice with CocoLime Cream. With the blender, Rita's aims to jump on a recent social media trend of beverage experimentation, Rita's senior director of marketing Madalyn Weintraub said in a statement. Last month, Rita's launched a limited-time Skittles Italian ice and Skittles Pop'd freeze-dried candy topping in partnership with the rainbow-colored candy's owner Mars Inc. expand Tela's Market & Kitchen in Fairmount will shutter next month after more than 11 years in operation. Google Maps Tela's closing in Fairmount Fairmount restaurant Tela's Market & Kitchen plans to close its doors next month. The concept will shutter after brunch service on May 4, owners Daniel and Alex Greenberg announced in a social media post on April 21. Tela's is located on the ground floor of 1833 Fairmount Ave., an apartment building developed by Daniel's North Broad Living. In the post, the Greenbergs said it is "simply time to move on" after more than 11 years of running the eatery. "We will miss the breakfast meetings, our laptop remote-workers, our happy hour and dinner guests, our bottle-shop wine customers, and our weekend brunch crowd," the owners wrote. The Greenbergs added that they hope to share who is moving into the Tela's space in the coming months. Tela's Market & Kitchen opened in late 2013. The concept offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour and weekend brunch. expand Brooklyn-based ice cream shop Malai will make its Philadelphia debut next month when it opens a location in Rittenhouse Square. Morgan Ione Yeager Malai, Weckerly's ready for Rittenhouse debuts Two ice cream shops are preparing to open in Rittenhouse Square next month. Fishtown spot Weckerly's Ice Cream will debut at 1600 Spruce St. on May 9. The following week, Brooklyn-born South Asian shop Malai will open to the public on May 17 at 260 S. 18th St. Weckerly's Rittenhouse Square shop, first reported by the Business Journal last fall, will serve up to 24 rotating small-batch ice cream flavors, along with its traditional ice cream sandwiches and to-go pints. This new location, however, will expand its offerings by selling coffee, tea, vegan ice cream flavors, and soft-serve ice cream. Owner and CEO Christina Torres took over Weckerly's in late 2023. Since then, she has expanded the business with a second location in the King of Prussia Mall. expand Weckerly's Ice Cream will open at 1600 Spruce St. next month. Weckerly's Ice Cream Malai's Philadelphia outpost will span 1,500 square feet and seat 15 people inside. The ice cream shop was founded in 2015 by Pooja Bavishi, a Pennsylvania native and winner of Food Network's Chopped Sweets competition. Bavishi will offer a new flavor, Cinnamon Honeybun, for the Philadelphia shop's opening. The ice cream flavor is inspired by Tastykake's Honey Buns. Quick bites: Cherry Hill Jewish delicatessen The Kibitz Room has opened its second location in King of Prussia. The 128 Town Center Road restaurant is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. has opened its second location in King of Prussia. The 128 Town Center Road restaurant is open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Philadelphia-born chain Federal Donuts & Chicken opened its first location in South Jersey at 300 Route 73 S. in Marlton on Friday. The fried chicken, coffee and donut shop is the first of four locations for franchisees Mark Heinz and Debbie Grady, with another lease signed for an undisclosed location in Princeton. opened its first location in South Jersey at 300 Route 73 S. in Marlton on Friday. The fried chicken, coffee and donut shop is the first of four locations for franchisees Mark Heinz and Debbie Grady, with another lease signed for an undisclosed location in Princeton. Center City District's Sips returns for its 21st season on June 4. The popular summertime happy hour will run every Wednesday through Aug. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring food and drink discounts at dozens of bars and restaurants throughout the city. returns for its 21st season on June 4. The popular summertime happy hour will run every Wednesday through Aug. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring food and drink discounts at dozens of bars and restaurants throughout the city. Restaurateur Stephen Starr's Parisian outdoor eatery Café Click will reopen at the Comcast Center Plaza for the summer season on May 5. The cafe will serve lunch and dinner on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through October. will reopen at the Comcast Center Plaza for the summer season on May 5. The cafe will serve lunch and dinner on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through October. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce is launching a new 10-day initiative called Asian Eats. Running May 1-11, the program will include special food and beverage menus at restaurants throughout Philadelphia's Chinatown neighborhood, with the goal of highlighting neighborhood concepts during AAPI Heritage Month. In case you missed it: Sign up here for the Philadelphia Business Journal's free newsletters, and download our free app for breaking news alerts.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
It's officially spring! Celebrate with freebies at Dairy Queen, Rita's Italian Ice, more
It's official: Spring has sprung! The new season officially started on Thursday, March 20. The first day of spring represents the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, an astronomical event that occurs when the sun aligns with the Earth's equator, making the amount of day and night equal. Several major restaurants and dessert spots, like Dairy Queen, Jamba and Dunkin', are ready to celebrate all things spring with free Italian ice, ice cream and discounts on even more items. Here's where Arizona residents can find free or discounted food to celebrate the vernal equinox. Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is continuing its annual tradition of giving away free Italian ice on the first day of spring this year. Customers who visit a Rita's location on March 20 will receive a free 6-ounce Italian ice in the available flavor of their choice, the company said, including the chain's newest flavor: Skittles Italian Ice. Additionally, customers who use the Rita's Ice App can enter for a chance to win free Italian ice for a year by entering the promo code "FDOS25" under the "offers" tab. To find an Arizona location near you, visit What will spring weather be like? Here's what 4 weather experts predict for 2025 Dairy Queen's annual Free Cone Day is Thursday and participating locations across the country are offering customers one free small vanilla cone. The cones are available while supplies last, limited to one per customer, and free cones are not available for delivery through the DQ Rewards mobile app. This year, Dairy Queen is partnering with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for Free Cone Day. Choose to dip your cone in one of Dairy Queen's dipped coatings for $1 and the fast food chain will donate the dollar to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. To find a location near you, visit Dunkin' Rewards members can earn 3x points on Dunkin' Refreshers on March 20 in honor of the first day of spring, including the Raspberry Watermelon Dunkin' Refresher. Rewards Members must activate the offer prior to placing the order and bonus points are eligible on Dunkin' Refresher items only. Find the nearest Arizona location at Baskin-Robbins customers can celebrate the arrival of spring on Thursday with discounted smoothies, milkshakes, and limited-time Mangonadas. The company is offering customers a small smoothie or Mangonada for $5, a medium for $6, and a large for $7. To find the nearest location, visit Jamba has unveiled its new "Over Ice" line of iced drinks, and to celebrate the new beverages and also celebrate the first day of spring, the company is offering customers a sweet deal. Jamba is offering customers $1 iced beverages on March 20 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time at participating locations. The offer is only valid in-stores for a small iced beverage in the Mangomorphosis or Dragonberry Blitz flavors. There are 35 Jamba locations in Arizona. Find your closest one at This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: First day of spring 2025: Freebies at Dairy Queen, Rita's Italian Ice
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
First Day Of Spring Freebies And Deals—Ice Cream, Italian Ice, & More
Spring is officially here, and brands are celebrating with free treats and limited-time deals to mark the season change. Whether you're craving ice cream, iced coffee, or a fruity frozen drink, here's where to grab something free (or seriously discounted) on the first day of Spring. Spring doesn't just bring warmer weather—it's also peak season for food freebies. Brands know that after months of cold and gray, people are ready to celebrate with something sweet, refreshing, and sometimes, even, free. That's why Dairy Queen, Rita's, and more are rolling out their annual free treats and promotions to mark the change in seasons. There's something about the first warm day of the year that just feels different. After months of winter's chill, longer days and sunnier skies make everything seem a little brighter. It's the season of shedding layers, stepping outside, and craving something cold and sweet—which is why frozen treats have become a springtime ritual. For many, the first cone of the season or a refreshing Italian Ice marks a shift—eating lunch outside instead of indoors, taking a walk after dinner instead of bundling up inside. Brands like Dairy Queen and Rita's have tapped into that seasonal shift, turning the first day of spring into a moment worth celebrating (and showing up for). Because really, what better way to welcome sunshine and warm breezes after a long winter than with something cold, sweet, and free? Most of these First Day of Spring deals are available in-store, but some require loyalty apps or promo codes. To be sure you don't miss out, check your favorite brand's app or website before heading out. Whether you're grabbing a free Dairy Queen cone, sipping on a Jamba Juice smoothie, or trying Rita's new Skittles Italian Ice, there's no better way to kick off the first day of Spring than with something sweet on the house.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Italian ice franchise to open Friday in Nexton; first 50 in line to receive free Italian ice for a year
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A popular franchise offering sweet frozen treats will open in the Nexton community just in time for the hot spring and summer months. Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open its new location off Metropolitan Avenue. Guests are invited to stop by for a grand opening celebration from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and enjoy live music from a DJ, merchandise giveaways, and an opportunity to meet Rita's mascot, 'Ice Guy'. Franchise owners Kelly and Chris Frevel will host the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m., and present a $1,000 grant to the Summerville Police Department. The first 50 guests in line will be rewarded with free Italian ice for a year. Plus, Rita's will be offering $2 small Italian ice and $3 small gelati all day to celebrate its opening. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ice, ice, baby: Rita's Italian Ice locations have opened across South Jersey
There's a sure sign that spring isn't far off: Rita's Ice officially opened all of its locations, including those in South Jersey. With more than 60 flavors of Italian ice, 24 frozen custard options and unique creations such as the thick, creamy Concrete cup, the ice-and-custard Blendini and more, Rita's has expanded to almost 600 locations across the U.S. since starting in Philadelphia 40 years ago. Here's how, where and when to get your Rita's fix in 2025. Rita's opened at all locations March 1. According to the company, all locations are required to open on the first day of March and stay open until the third Sunday in September. Some Rita's locations stay open longer or year-round. Every year, Rita's celebrates the first day of spring by giving away a free 6-ounce Italian ice. It has been doing this for more than 25 years. You can stop by March 20 to grab your treat. As the company wrote, it's "just our way of kicking off the season — and spreading a little happiness." Rita's is well-represented in South Jersey with more than 30 locations, according to the website. The South Jersey locations include sites in: Absecon. Atlantic City. Berlin. Bridgeton. Brigantine. Browns Mills. Burlington Township. Cape May. Cherry Hill. Glassboro. Hammonton. Lindenwold. Little Egg Harbor. Logan Township. Mantua. Marlton. Medford. Millville. Moorestown. Mount Holly. Mount Laurel. Northfield. North Cape May. Ocean City. Pine Hill. Rio Grande. Runnemede. Sea Isle City. Sewell. Sicklerville. Vineland. Voorhees. Willingboro. Woodbury. Rita's rotates its Italian ice, aka water ice, selections on a daily basis. Water ice is made fresh and comes in more than 60 varieties. According to the company, mango and cherry are the most popular options at its stores, followed by Swedish Fish. Rita's often introduces new choices to the lineup. Last year the chain offered Sour Patch Kids watermelon ice. Check with your local store via social media or call for flavor availability and to inquire about rotating flavors of the day. See all the flavor options at and check their website for the Rita's locations in New Jersey. Consider a digital subscription to help support our journalism. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Want some water ice? Rita's Italian Ice locations have opened.
