Rita’s Italian Ice franchisee, Gardi Armand, has been living the American Dream. Although born in the U.S., Armand was raised in Haiti and didn’t return to live in the States until he attended college. Armand was in pursuit of success and sustainability that he felt the U.S. could bring him; for years, Armand worked hard as an IT specialist in the States, and in 2013, he was able to purchase a Rita’s franchise.
Armand was originally attracted to Rita’s because the Italian Ice reminded him of a popular Haitian shaved ice dish called fresco. For Armand, serving the sweet summer treat triggers his nostalgia, and he is proud to bring Rita’s products to his community.
“It’s a pleasure working with Rita’s,” says Armand. “They have everything laid out for their franchisees. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, but as the franchisee you still have room to customize your business, which is great.”
Armand has so much enjoyed his experience with Rita’s that he is now looking to purchase more Rita’s locations and become a multi-unit franchisee. In the next few years Armand hopes to grow the Rita’s brand and open new locations in Queens, New York.
Now that warmer months are here, patrons are regularly stopping into their neighborhood Rita’s. Rita’s is best known for their tasty frozen treats, made fresh on the premises daily. With family favorites like Blendini®, Gelati and Misto Shakes, Rita’s is a franchise designed to last.
About Rita’s Italian Ice
The popular chain offers many delicious frozen treats that combine their famous Italian Ice and award-winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, including layered Gelati, blended Misto® Shake and a personalized Blendini® which mixes Italian Ice, Frozen Custard and a delicious topping. Other menu items include Milkshakes, Frozen Drinks, Sundaes, Frozen Custard Cakes and Custard Cookie Sandwiches. Since 1984, Rita’s has been dedicated to serving up a big dose of happiness with its freshly made, delicious treats in a fun-filled atmosphere, and over thirty years later, it is still spreading “Ice, Custard, Happiness!” For more information about Rita’s Italian Ice visit www.ritasice.com.
About Rita’s Franchise Company
Ranked #1 in Nation’s Restaurant News “Consumer Pick’s 2014” for Service and Value in the Frozen Treat category and 14th overall in the Limited-Service category, Rita’s Franchise
Company is the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with more than 600 stores in the U.S. The company is aggressively expanding internationally with operating locations in the Philippines, Canada and the Middle East. Rita’s, headquartered in Trevose, Pa., was also named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal’s “Startup Journal” and ranks #81 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2014 Franchise 500” list. For more information about Rita’s franchise opportunities, please call 1-800- 677-7482 or visit: www.ownaritas.com.
