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Rita’s Italian Ice opens 1st of 4 planned DFW drive-thru locations

Photo: Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

June 30, 2026

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Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open its doors July 1 in North Richland Hills, marking the beginning of an expansion across North Texas, according to a press release.

The shop, located at 8900 N Tarrant Pkwy, is the first of four year-round drive-thru locations the brand plans to open across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Additional shops in Flower Mound, Carrollton and Farmers Branch are slated to follow later this year.

Celebrations begin June 30 with a Scoop-er Cutting Ceremony at 2 p.m. in partnership with the local chamber of commerce, where local officials and the franchisee team will participate in a ceremonial first scoop of Italian Ice. On July 1 at 12 noon, the location will officially open to the public, with the first 50 guests in line receiving a Rita's gift bag containing brand merchandise. Twenty of the bags will include golden tickets redeemable for free Italian Ice or Frozen Custard for a week.

"For more than 40 years, Rita's has been part of the fabric of communities across the East Coast, bringing families together to celebrate everything from Little League wins to everyday moments," Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, said in the press release. "North Texas gives us the opportunity to be part of those moments year-round, and we can't wait to introduce Rita's to North Richland Hills and help create new traditions for local families."

The drive-thru locations will feature classic menu favorites, including daily made Italian Ice, frozen custard, and layered Gelati treats.

Construction on the remaining three Metroplex locations is currently underway.

Rita's operates more than 600 shops.