Rita's Italian Ice will open its first New York City location Feb. 14. The new restaurant is part of a multiunit agreement that will bring two more locations to the Manhattan area in 2011.
To celebrate the first Manhattan location's grand opening, the company is offering all visitors to that location a free regular-size Italian Ice on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., in the available flavor of their choice. Additionally, the first 100 guests will receive free regular ice for a year.
The special Valentine's-themed flavors for the day will include Wild Black Cherry, Passion Fruit and the worldwide debut of Chocolate Chocolate Chip. The latest flavor combines Chocolate Italian Ice and mini chocolate chips.
Bringing ice to New York
The Manhattan location will be operated by Rita's franchise owners and brothers Joshua and Noah Teitelbaum, native New Yorkers who are familiar with Rita's hometown of Philadelphia. The brothers attended college in the town where the brand was founded in 1984. When it came time for a career change, the brothers, both attorneys, decided that it was time to bring Rita's to their hometown.
"My brother and I wanted to do something we really loved while interacting with people and having fun," Josh Teitelbaum said. "I have great memories of Rita's from my college days, and we always complained that there wasn't one in New York City. Noah and I decided this was our chance to change that and bring Rita's to the Big Apple."
The Manhattan location's menu includes the full array of Rita's frozen treat options including Rita's Famous Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, cones and gelatis (a layering of Italian Ice and custard), as well as Rita's signature Misto (a blended shake of Ice and custard), Ritaccino (Ice and custard swirled with coffee flavor) and the Blendini (custard and Ice blended with candy bits or pretzels).
For the health-conscious, Rita's offers its "Light Line" of healthier treats which includes sugar-free Italian Ice flavors and Slenderita, a fat-free soft serve.
Rita's has more than 550 stores in 18 states, including several other New York state locations with plans to open more than 40 stores in 2010.
