Under its fourth private-equity owner, the Trevose-based Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard chain aims to finally become a national brand through year-round custard sales and drive-through service, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
With 80 flavors available, Rita’s is introducing a Peeps-marshmallow variety on March 20, coinciding with free water ice giveaways marking the start of spring. The season officially began on March 1 when stores reopened.
Following the departure of the founding Tumolo family in 2005, each of Rita’s prior private-equity owners unveiled ambitious menu plans, increasing store counts, and growing the chain nationally and internationally.
However, few of these plans materialized, and the number of locations has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
“It is difficult to take a regional chain and expand nationally,” said Jonathan C. Fornaci, a former Rita’s CEO in the early 2010s.
He believes the strategy of the newest owner, Maple Park Capital Partners, which assumed control last year, is a strong one.
“I’m a firm believer in ice cream in wintertime, absolutely,” he said. “I now live in Utah. I love custard in the middle of winter.”
Read more about Trevose-based Rita’s Italian Ice and the owner’s plans for year-round custard and drive-throughs in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in March 2026.
