Rita's Water Ice Raises $530,000 For Pediatric Cancer Research During July 2007

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Rita's Water Ice Raises $530,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research During July 2007

Signature Paper Lemon Program Nets More Than $1 Million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation since 2006

August 29, 2007 // Franchising.com // Trevose, PA – Rita's Water Ice, (http://www.ritasice.com), the nation's largest Italian Ice concept, today announced that the company has raised $530,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) during its signature paper lemon fundraiser. Following the company's $510,000 donation, made in summer 2006, Rita's Water Ice has now raised more than $1 million for the foundation, which actively funds pediatric cancer research across the United States. Rita's is the first corporate partner to date to raise $1 million for ALSF.

Throughout the month of July 2007, more than 470 Rita's Water Ice franchisees sold paper lemons at each of their locations to raise money for the charity. Each Rita's customer had the opportunity to personalize his/her lemon and then post it on a "Wall of Hope" to demonstrate the local community's collective support for Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Rita's first joined forces with ALSF in July 2006. The foundation was humbly established in the summer of 2000, when four-year-old cancer patient, Alexandra "Alex" Scott, began a quest with her front yard lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Despite her deteriorating health, Alex continued to hold annual lemonade stands until her untimely passing in 2004. Alex's spirit and determination gave birth to a nationwide fundraising movement, which has realized more than $13 million in donations to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

"We are extremely proud of what our guests, partners and company have achieved for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation," said Jim Rudolph, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Rita's Water Ice. "When we partnered with this inspiring organization last year, we never imagined that we could raise so much in such a short period of time. We are pleased to be able to make a significant contribution to this important cause, and look forward to supporting Alex's for years to come."

In addition to the donation in honor of the late Alex Scott, Rita's Water Ice officially renamed its lemon ice flavor, "Alex's Lemonade" in 2006. Lemon, one of Rita's two original flavor offerings when it opened in 1984, is one of the company's five most popular flavors.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have a committed partner like Rita's Water Ice," said Jay Scott, Alex's father and executive director of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. "With the support of Rita's, its partners and its guests, we can continue to move towards our goal of finding a cure for all children with cancer."

About Rita's Water Ice
Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, PA, is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 15 states with over 470 stores. Rita's brand promise is Ice, Custard and Happiness™. The chain offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, and layered Gelati as well as its signature Misto™ and Blendini™ creations. Rita's was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal's 'Startup Journal.' For more information about Rita's Water Ice, please call 1-800-677-RITA or visit www.ritasice.com.

About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand was founded by a young cancer patient, Alexandra "Alex" Scott. For four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands have been held across the country by children, schools, businesses and organizations, all to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. As of today, her national campaign has raised over $13 million for pediatric cancer research. Alex died peacefully in August 2004. Her family is committed to continuing with her legacy through her foundation, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation until a cure for all childhood cancers is found. For more information, please visit www.alexslemonade.org.