Rita's Announces Winners of 25th Anniversary Promotion

By: Rita’s Italian Ice | 1 Shares 128 Reads

Nation's largest Italian Ice concept awards $25,000 to one lucky winner and a trip to Mexico to another lucky winner

TREVOSE, Pa., Aug. 21 // PRNewswire // -- Rita's Italian Ice the nation's largest Italian Ice concept with more than 550 stores across 18 states, today announced the winners of its system-wide 25th Anniversary "Scratch and Win" game promotion. Launched in May to celebrate Rita's silver anniversary, this promotion offered guests the chance to win $25,000 or a vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico, courtesy of Apple Vacations.

The lucky winner of the $25,000 was Lori Schwartz of Manalapan, NJ and the winner of the vacation to Riviera Maya was Janine Merolla of Norristown, PA. Both women were equally enthusiastic about the opportunity to win such significant prizes in honor of Rita's silver anniversary.

"Rita's has bestowed upon me a huge financial help with this $25,000 prize," said Schwartz. "It's true what they say about Rita's brand promise of Ice, Custard and Happiness - because they've surely provided enough happiness to last a lifetime."

"Since I'm a huge fan and frequent visitor to Rita's, I thought I'd take a chance at answering the 25th anniversary trivia questions online," said Merolla. "Lucky for me, I actually won a fantastic trip to Mexico and a dose of happiness courtesy of the generous team at Rita's."

The 25th Anniversary "Scratch and Win" game promotion began on 5/1/09 and ended on 5/31/09. The promotion was presented at www.ritasice.com.

"We wanted to celebrate our 25-year legacy with a promotion for our loyal fans, who are the primary reason we remain a strong brand and a successful franchise concept," said Jim Rudolph, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rita's Franchise Company. "In these challenging economic times, we were thrilled to delight guests with additional forms of happiness beyond our delicious treats."

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 his first store in Bensalem, PA and named the business after his wife, Rita. Although he began by selling the "made fresh daily" Italian Ice from a small porch window, Tumolo started franchising the business, and by 1996, Rita's had grown to more than 100 stores in nine states.

In May 2005, a new era in the evolution of Rita's began. McKnight Capital Partners, a private equity group led by Jim Rudolph and his brother Bill Rudolph, purchased the then 300+ store Italian Ice concept, and Jim Rudolph started to lead the organization as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Under Rudolph's leadership, Rita's has continued to see unprecedented growth. From that single "store" on a front porch in Bensalem, PA, Rita's Italian Ice has expanded exponentially throughout the Mid- Atlantic Region and beyond. Today, there are more than 550 Rita's locations in 18 states.

About Rita's Franchise Company

Rita's Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, Pa., is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 18 states with more than 550 stores. Rita's brand promise is Ice, Custard and Happiness(TM). The chain offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, and layered Gelati, healthy Light Line(TM) treat options as well as its signature Misto(R) and Blendini(TM) creations. Rita's was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal's 'Startup Journal.' In a 2009 Zagat survey of over 6,000 fast-food fans, Rita's was ranked #2 in the Top Ice Cream/Custard category.

SOURCE Rita's Franchise Company

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