News

Rita's signs deal to debut in Caribbean

April 10, 2012

Rita's Italian Ice has signed a new area franchise development agreement for part of Los Angeles County, Calif., and an area franchisee development agreement for Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, also known as the ABC Islands.

The company also announced Scott Schubiger has been named the company's senior vice president of Franchise Sales. Schubiger, a 20-plus-year sales veteran, will manage worldwide franchise development for the growing chain.

"With a renewed focus on growing the Rita's brand, we are proud to welcome our California and ABC Islands area franchisees," said Jonathan Fornaci, chief executive officer of Rita's. "Another new addition, and member of the senior leadership team, Scott Schubiger will enable us to expand Rita's brand to many more fans within the United States and abroad."

Stuart and Cynthia Glist are the new area developers for Rita's Italian Ice in Los Angeles County. Their territory includes San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley. They plan to grow the brand by offering franchises in their territory to have 25 locations open throughout the next five years. Their first Rita's store in Burbank, Calif., is planned for this fall.

"We were actually in negotiations with Rita's before we had even tasted the products," said Stuart Glist. "During our due diligence process it became evident that Rita's was perfect for California. The differentiated product, no direct competition, and a long history and track record of success, were just a few of the many things that appealed to us. We can't wait to share our love of Rita's with our fellow Californians."

Developing the Rita's brand in the ABC Islands is Joe DeAngelis and his wife Irene. They plan to franchise and open four Rita's stores within three years, with the first targeted in Aruba in October.

"The ABC's, the sunny Caribbean islands with an average temperature year-round in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, is the perfect place to open Rita's," said Joe DeAngelis. "We are very proud to be the first to bring Rita's to the Caribbean."

The company is also actively seeking area development agreements and multiple-unit operators throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, and the Northeast, as well as single unit franchisees in the mid-Atlantic region and major international markets across several continents.

Currently, the chain operates more than 550 stores in 22 states.

Fornaci was named CEO just before the New Year, and immediately put plans into place to grow the brand's presence in untapped markets, including while making its international debut. At the time, he said the Caribbean was a good fit because Rita's flavor profiles fit in well there.

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