Rita's Italian Ice Named For Bucks Co. Wife: Phun Philly Phacts

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The summer was sweltering in 1984 when former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo came up with a plan to supplement his income.

He decided to start selling Italian ice from the front porch. But he needed a name for the business. So he came up with one: He named it after his wife Rita.

Today, Rita's Italian Ice and Custard is known throughout the Philadelphia region as the prime place during the spring and summer to get sweet treats.

As a rite of spring, Rita's Italian Ice and Custard shops are opening this week across the region. Per tradition, Rita's dishes out free Italian ice on the first day of spring.

Tumolo used a recipe from his mother, making adjustments to improve the flavor and add real fruit. He originally advertised his product as "water ice", a regional term for what is sometimes called "Italian ice."

The first store opened in May 1984, and the second opened in 1987. By 1989, the family began selling franchises.

In 2005, McKnight Capital Partners purchased the company. In 2011, Falconhead Capital purchased a controlling interest.

Rita's has expanded to multiple states, including California, and internationally to the Philippines, China, and Canada.

Bensalem-based Rita's is the largest Italian ice and frozen custard brand in the world. It is known for Italian ice, frozen custard, frozen drinks, milkshakes, and other sweet treats.