Latest news with #Rita'sItalianIce
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Popular Dairy Queen rival franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The ice cream retail sector has faced economic challenges over the last year that included a major chain closing down and selling off its assets, another shutting down in a corporate dispute, and several others filing for bankruptcy protection. Bankrupt drugstore chain Rite Aid is liquidating its assets, which includes a sale of its Thrifty Ice Cream brand for $19.2 million to Hilrod Holdings LP, whose general partner, Hilton Schlosberg, is also co-founder and CEO of Monster Beverage Corporation. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Rite Aid had operated about 500 Thrifty Ice Cream counters in its stores and sold its private label Thrifty brand in over 2,300 grocery stores and chain stores across the U.S. Related: Another national employment company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy In the first half of 2025, a franchisee of a popular ice cream fast-food chain, Dairy Queen, shut down about 30 locations in Texas over a dispute with the parent company. Parent company American Dairy Queen pulled the franchises from franchisee Project Lonestar after it failed to remodel its locations. That meant that those locations could not order supplies from the parent corporation and would have to shut down. "These closures are related to closures last month by the same franchise owner," a Dairy Queen spokesperson said of the closings. "The closures are an isolated event, and we refrain from publicly sharing contract terms." The dispute prevented Lonestar from selling its franchise locations, which forced it to close the Dairy Queens that it operated. Greene Family Enterprises LLC, which owns a St. Johns, Fla.-based Rita's Italian Ice franchise, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, seeking to restructure its debts. The Rita's Italian Ice franchise filed its Subchapter V petition on June 9 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, listing $100,000 to $500,000 in assets and $500,000 to $1 million in liabilities, including $362,000 owed to Cadence Bank, $64,000 in unpaid taxes owed to the Florida Department of Revenue, and a $43,000 claim by Headway Capital. And now, another Rita's franchisee is heading for bankruptcy court. Image source: Hammerschmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images Frozen treat chain franchisee Armellino Italian Ices Corp., which operates a Rita's Italian Ice franchise in Tuscaloosa, Ala., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking to reorganize its business. Related: Largest fast-food chain's franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The debtor also operates a PJ's Coffee franchise in Tuscaloosa that is part of the bankruptcy. The debtor filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama on July 1, listing $100,000 to $500,000 in assets and $500,000 to $1 million in liabilities. More bankruptcy: Iconic auto repair chain franchise files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular beer brand closes down and files Chapter 7 bankruptcyPopular vodka and gin brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Armellino Italian Ices indicated in its petition that no funds would be available for distribution to unsecured creditors after administrative expenses are paid. Rita's Italian Ice, founded in 1984 in Bensalem, Pa., is a specialty dessert shop selling Italian ice, frozen custard, Gelati, Italian Ice Blenders, Gelati Blenders, milkshakes, and take-home treats, such as custard cookie sandwiches and custard pints. Rita's, which claims to be the world's largest Italian Ice franchise in the world, had been owned by parent company Argosy Private Equity from December 2016 until Nov. 26, 2024, when it exited its investment in Rita's Franchise Company LLC. The Trevose, Pa., company revealed on Jan. 9, 2025, that private equity firm Maple Park Capital Partners purchased a majority interest in Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. The Italian Ice and frozen custard chain has 592 locations in 29 states and the District of Columbia, according to its website. PJ's has 192 locations in 14 states, with over 300 locations in development, according to the company's website. Related: Popular vision care chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
USA Today
20-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Spring has sprung! Get deals and freebies at Rita's Italian Ice, Dairy Queen, Dunkin', more
Spring has sprung! Get deals and freebies at Rita's Italian Ice, Dairy Queen, Dunkin', more Show Caption Hide Caption How to survive allergy season Spring is almost here and so is allergy season. Here are five surprising ways to survive spring allergies. March 20 is the official first day of spring, and companies such as Rita's Italian Ice and Dairy Queen, are celebrating by offering deals and freebies for its customers. 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. In the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, it is known as the autumnal equinox and represents the beginning of fall. During this time, the Southern Hemisphere begins to tilt away from the sun, resulting in cooler weather and shorter days. If you're looking to start off your spring by treating yourself to some ice cream or a beverage, here's what you need to know. When is the first day of spring 2025? What to know about the vernal equinox Rita's Italian Ice offering free Italian ice on March 20 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. Dairy Queen's Free Cone Day is on March 20 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. Get 3x points in Dunkin' Rewards app on March 20 when you order refreshers 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. Baskin-Robbins offers discounted smoothies, Mangonada on March 20 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. Get a $1 iced beverage at Jamba on March 20 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. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rita's Italian Ice Achieves Impressive Growth and Industry Recognition in 2024
Nation's Leading Italian Ice and Frozen Custard Franchise Celebrates 39 Openings and New Hires; Primed for Continued Growth in 2025 PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, a beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats, is celebrating the "sweet taste of success" following another successful year in 2024, marked by major growth milestones, and of course plenty of ice, custard and happiness. Over the past year, Rita's Italian Ice opened 39 new shops, including 10 international shops, for a total of 575 operating locations. The company continued its rapid growth in existing markets while expanding its reach in the Midwest, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, among other states. "We are committed to driving growth and expansion across key markets, enhancing our product offerings through innovative design and development, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to further elevate the customer experience," said CEO Linda Chadwick. "Together, these initiatives will position us for sustained success and the continued market leadership we've seen for 40 years and counting." Rita's Italian Ice Recognized as a Leader in Dessert & Franchising Rita's Italian Ice received recognition from industry leaders, emphasizing the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation in the dessert space. The brand received two national awards and rankings based on its success in 2024, including: Ranked #273 overall in the 2025 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, catapulting 187 spots from last year Ranked #260 overall in the 2024 Franchise Times Top 400 jumping up 17 spots from last year New Hires in 2025 Rita's Italian Ice added two new key hires in 2025. Lawrence Brown was brought on as Chief Development Officer. Brown brings with him many years of experience in the restaurant franchise space, previously working with brands like Burger King, Fat Tuesday, and Tim Hortons. Most recently, Brown served as SVP, Head of Franchising & Development for Tide Services before joining Rita's Italian Ice. Carmela Hughley was also appointed as SVP of Marketing Insights and Innovation. Hughley brings over 25 years of leadership experience in retail, operations, and consumer brand growth to the new role. Most recently, as Vice President of Field Operations at Madison Reed, Hughley led the transformation of their Hair Color Bars, driving the expansion from 6 to 87 locations in just three years. Rita's signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily on-site and is available in a rotating daily selection from over 80 flavors. Other menu items at Rita's include creamy Frozen Custard, signature Gelati, Concretes, Frozen Coffee, Rita's Blenders™, Milkshakes and more. Rita's continues to seek passionate entrepreneurs to expand its presence across the United States. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Rita's Italian Ice, please visit: About Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard: Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened its doors in Bensalem, Pa. in 1984, and has been dedicated to spreading "Ice, Custard, Happiness!" ever since. Now, Rita's is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with over 575 shops. Guests around the world visit Rita's to celebrate their everyday moments with freshly made cool treats in a fun-filled atmosphere. Known for its famous Italian Ice, made daily featuring real fruit, and award-winning Frozen Custard, Rita's serves a taste of happiness with each delicious treat. For more information about Rita's Italian Ice, please call 1-800-677-7482 or visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rita's Franchise Company
