3 Rita's Italian Ices Opening Saturday In Lower Bucks Co.

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —It has become a first sign of spring, maybe even bettering the prediction made by the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil.

Three Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard locations in Lower Bucks County are opening on Feb. 1, making the sweet treat sites the first to get the spring season underway.

Owner Ken Ott's Rita's locations in Bensalem, Langhorne, and Richboro will open that Saturday under new general manager Nina Bennett.

Rita's was founded in Bensalem and has its corporate offices there. It is known nationwide for its Italian water ice, custard, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, soft pretzels, and other treats.

Last year, Ott would open one location at a time over a week but Bennett told Patch that things are changing this year.

"We're opening not just the one location like prior years but all three locations on February 1, 2025, making us one of the first in Buck County to kick off spring," Bennett said.

All three locations will be open Monday-Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from Noon to 9 p.m.

The locations are:

• 3610 Bristol Rd, Bensalem
• 2382 Durham Rd, Langhorne
• 722 Second Street Pike, Richboro

Bennett took over as general manager last year, overseeing all three shops, and was honored to win the national Rita's District Manager of the Year award.

She said the recognition wouldn't have been possible "without our amazing staff, and three fantastic managers" in Loretta Adams in Langhorne, Crystal Roberts in Bensalem, and Dawn Stone in Richboro, a customer service team leader in Carol Walter.

During her tenure, Bennett said all three stores were revamped, equipment upgraded, customer service heightened, and the store's high standards were maintained.

She said that contributed to sales increases of 6 percent, 7 percent, and 17 percent at the three locations along with a growth in third-party delivery services.

"We are confident that opening early will delight Rita's fans," said Bennett, adding that third-party delivery will also be a plus.

Last summer, Rita's celebrated its 40th anniversary as an iconic frozen treats destination.

For more than 40 years, the Bensalem-based Rita’s has been dedicated to spreading "Ice, Custard, Happiness."

Originally founded in May 1984, Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo created his prized family recipe to include real fruit and opened his first Rita’s Italian Ice shop in Bensalem.

Since then, Rita’s has staked its claim in the frozen treats industry by planting franchises across the country that offer a happy, family-friendly atmosphere and set the standard for fresh and quality-driven Italian Ice.

Now, Rita’s has over 550 shops in over 30 states, serving up Ice, Custard and Happiness to millions of loyal fans.

Rita’s signature Italian Ice is made fresh daily on-site and available in a rotating daily selection from over 80 flavors. Other menu items at Rita’s include creamy Frozen Custard, signature Gelati, Concretes, Frozen Coffee, Rita’s BlendersTM, Milkshakes, and more.

For more information about Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard and to find your closest location, please visit http://www.ritasice.com/.

(Nina Bennett)