Rita's Italian Ice

The story of Rita's dates back to the sweltering summer of 1984 when Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter, decided to open a small Italian Ice business to augment his income. Tumolo opened the first store in Bensalem, Pa. and named the business after his wife, Rita.

In May 2005, a new era in the evolution of Rita's was ushered in with the sale of the company to McKnight Capital Partners, a private equity group with extensive franchise experience. Led by Jim Rudolph, an experienced franchisee turned franchisor, Rita's has grown tremendously yet has remained true to its name and brand promise: providing the freshest, highest quality treats while delivering superior guest service.