Franchising
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard enters Louisiana
September 24, 2025
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has entered Louisiana. The store is under the helm of Christopher and Ashante Shivers, according to a press release.
The shop, located in Slidell, held a soft opening on Sept. 4 with a grand opening scheduled for Sept. 26. The first 50 guests in line win free Rita's for a year, while the next 200 guests receive coupons.
The Shivers, both U.S. Air Force veterans, were stationed for years near Rita's shops in Maryland and Washington D.C. and made the brand a part of their family routine.
"Serving others has always been at the core of who we are," Ashante Shivers said in the press release. "When we learned there wasn't a Rita's here, we saw an opportunity to fill that gap while also building something meaningful for our family and community. Rita's gives us the chance to bring people together, create jobs and offer a place where families can celebrate everyday moments."
"Our military experience taught us about discipline, teamwork and leadership — values that fit perfectly with business ownership," added Christopher Shivers in the press release. "Customer service was ingrained in us during our time in the Air Force, and we're eager to bring that same standard of excellence to every guest who walks through our doors or drives through our new drive-thru."
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has more than 575 shops nationwide.
