Rita’s Italian Ice hit 600 locations worldwide in 2026, becoming the top global Italian ice brand with strong U.S. expansion and drive-thru growth.

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard reached 600 locations worldwide in 2026, becoming the largest Italian ice brand globally, with double-digit growth in 2025, including 35 new U.S. stores and a 10% rise in franchise signings. Drive-thru locations outperformed others by over 30%, prompting a new incentive program offering up to $60,000 in support for 25 new drive-thrus in 2026—five times the previous year’s pace—along with early-bird rewards and a tropical trip. Expansion focused on Sunbelt regions like Texas, the Southeast, and the Mid-Atlantic, including the brand’s first Louisiana location, while corporate seeding in Savannah and a major multi-site conversion in North Texas signaled strategic growth.