Brand posts double-digit year-over-year growth, launches new franchise incentives and accelerates Sunbelt expansion

Philadelphia, PA  (Restaurant News Release)  Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is entering 2026 with strong momentum following a record-setting year marked by accelerated franchise growth, new incentive programs and a major systemwide milestone. The brand closed 2025 having surpassed 600 locations worldwide, reinforcing its position as the largest Italian Ice concept in the world and setting the stage for continued expansion in the year ahead.

In 2025, Rita’s opened 35 new shops systemwide! U.S. openings increased 10% year-over-year and new unit signings grew by nearly 10% year-over-year. The brand also earned multiple industry accolades, including placement on the Restaurant Business Top 500 (#211), QSR’s 16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025, and the Franchise Times Top 400 (#232).

“Our focus in 2025 was building smarter, not just bigger,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “We leaned into formats, incentives and markets that help franchisees open faster, operate more efficiently and perform stronger over time. That strategy is paying off as we head into 2026.”

Drive-thru development emerged as one of Rita’s most powerful growth drivers in 2025. Across the system, drive-thru locations are delivering over 30% higher performance compared to non-drive-thru shops, fueled by greater throughput, convenience for families and extended operating seasons in colder climates.

That performance gap informed the launch of Rita’s new Drive-Thru Incentive Program (DTIP), introduced in the fourth quarter of 2025 to accelerate new-build development.

For 2026 new drive-thru builds, qualified franchisees may receive $50,000–$60,000 in total contributions, including:

• $40,000 in cash contributions
• $10,000 toward drive-thru equipment
• $10,000 early construction start “kicker” incentive for projects that break ground by April 15, 2026
• A Presidents Circle trip to a tropical destination in February 2027 for qualifying franchisees

With DTIP in place, Rita’s is targeting 25 new drive-thru openings in 2026, representing a fivefold increase from prior years. The brand also announced 2027 new-build incentives, offering up to $35,000 in total contributions for drive-thru locations opening by May 31, 2027.

“These incentives reflect our confidence in the model and our commitment to sharing that upside with franchisees,” said Lawrence Brown, Rita’s chief development officer. “Drive-thrus are performing better, and we want to help operators capture that opportunity.”

Rita’s continued to deepen its footprint in high-growth markets throughout 2025, with new shop openings across the Southeast, Texas and Mid-Atlantic, including the brand’s first-ever location in Louisiana. The expansion reflects Rita’s focus on warm-weather and family-driven markets where its model can deliver longer operating seasons and stronger year-round demand.

Growth was further supported by an increase in multi-unit and area development agreements, signaling growing interest from experienced operators seeking scalable platforms. These efforts were paired with Rita’s continued emphasis on flexible prototypes and adaptive reuse of second-generation real estate, allowing franchisees to enter new markets more efficiently and cost-effectively. Together, these initiatives laid the groundwork for the brand’s corporate seeding and clustered development strategy entering 2026.

In 2025, Rita’s completed a strategic corporate acquisition of stores in Savannah, Georgia, allowing the brand to operate select locations directly as part of a market-seeding strategy. Insights from these corporate operations will be used to strengthen franchise support, refine site selection and inform future development decisions.

Building on that foundation, Rita’s is preparing to launch five new drive-thru locations across North Texas in 2026, marking the brand’s largest multi-site conversion initiative to date. Each site, a second-generation drive-thru property, will be converted into a Rita’s shop and will anchor key growth markets including Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco.

“Texas continues to stand out as a market where our drive-thru model performs exceptionally well,” said Lawrence. “By establishing a meaningful presence through corporate seeding, we can build brand awareness, optimize site selection and ultimately create stronger opportunities for future multi-unit franchise operators.”

Rita’s continues to evaluate additional second-generation drive-thru opportunities across the Sunbelt and SEC regions as part of its long-term development plan.

Rita’s leadership team expanded in 2025 with the addition of Lawrence Brown as chief development officer and Craig Prusher as chief legal officer. These appointments strengthened the brand’s infrastructure to support franchise growth, development incentives and market expansion.

With approximately 45 additional openings projected for 2026, expanded incentive programs and a development pipeline focused on drive-thru performance and smart real estate strategies, Rita’s enters the new year positioned for sustained growth.

Prospective franchisees and property owners interested in opportunities in their area can visit OwnARitasFranchise.com and fill out a short contact form.

About Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened its doors in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in 1984, and has been dedicated to spreading “Ice, Custard, Happiness!” ever since. Now the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with more than 600 shops, Rita’s was ranked No. 211 on Restaurant Business’s 2024 Top 500 list, joining the ranks of the industry’s most influential restaurant concepts nationwide. 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 with real fruit, and signature Frozen Custard, Rita’s serves a taste of happiness with each delicious treat. As the brand continues to grow, Rita’s is actively seeking passionate franchise owners who want to bring its beloved treats to more communities. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit OwnARitasFranchise.com or call 267-751-5184.

Contact:
Betsy DeMik
Champion
972-930-9933
bdemik@championmgt.com

 

The post Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Enters 2026 With Record Growth, 600th Shop Milestone and Expanded Drive-Thru Incentives first appeared on RestaurantNews.com.