Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Rita's Italian Ice

Italian ices, frozen custard, gelati

Year began: 1984 Franchising since: 1989
1210 Northbrook Dr., #310 Trevose, PA 19053 Phone: (800)677-7482 Fax: (866)448-9067	Franchisor has 60 employee(s); 9 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year

2007
2006
2005
2004

U.S. Franchises

461
384
337
304

Canadian Franchises

0
0
0
0

Foreign Franchises

0
0
0
0

Company
Owned

7
2
1
2

Where Seeking Franchisees

In the U.S.

Exclusive territories available.

Costs & Fees

Total investment: $198.2K-445.5K
Franchise fee: $35K
Ongoing royalty fee: 6.5%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable
Renewal fee: 50% of current franchise fee

Type of Financing Available
	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Third-party financing source(s): the SBA

Qualifications

Net worth requirement: $250K
Cash liquidity requirement: $75K
Business Experience:

General business experience
Marketing skills

Operations

50% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 15
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training & Support

TRAINING

Available at headquarters: 6 days
At franchisee's location: 2-4 days

ONGOING SUPPORT

Newsletter
Meetings
Toll-free phone line
Grand opening
Internet
Security/safety procedures
Field operations/evaluations
Purchasing cooperatives

MARKETING SUPPORT

Co-op advertising
Ad slicks
National media
Regional advertising
Other marketing support: PR support

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008

Franchise 500® rank:
#93 (2008); #88 (2007); #125 (2006); #115 (2005); #102 (2004);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#53 (2008); #83 (2007);

Last Updated: 8/5/2008 12:00:00 AM