Fan-favorite frozen treat brand expands in North Texas with drive-thru convenience and grand opening celebrations June 30 and July 1
Dallas, TX (RestaurantNews.com) Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will open its doors July 1 in North Richland Hills, marking the beginning of a significant expansion across North Texas. The shop is the first of four planned Rita’s locations in the region. Additional shops in Flower Mound, Carrollton and Farmers Branch are slated to follow later this year, bringing the beloved frozen treat brand to more communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The North Richland Hills shop, located at 8900 N Tarrant Pkwy, North Richland Hills, TX 76182, is the first of four year-round drive-thru locations Rita’s plans to open across DFW. Stores in Flower Mound, Carrollton and Farmers Branch are slated to follow later in 2026.
Celebrations begin June 30 with a Scoop-er Cutting Ceremony at 2 p.m. in partnership with the local chamber of commerce. In place of a traditional ribbon cutting, local officials, chamber representatives and the franchisee team will step behind the counter for a ceremonial first scoop of Rita’s famous Italian Ice, officially welcoming the new location to the community. The public is invited to attend.
Then, on July 1 at noon, Rita’s will officially open its doors to the community. The first 50 guests in line will receive a Rita’s gift bag with brand-inspired merchandise. Ten bags will also contain a golden ticket redeemable for free Italian Ice for a week, while another 10 will include a golden ticket redeemable for free 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,” said Linda Chadwick, CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “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.”
Known for its freshly made Italian Ice and rich, creamy Frozen Custard, Rita’s has been serving up “Ice, Custard, Happiness!” for more than 40 years. The brand has built a loyal following along the East Coast, where it got its start, and has since grown to more than 600 locations nationwide. The DFW expansion represents one of its most significant market entries in recent years.
Each new location will feature Rita’s classic menu favorites, including:
- Italian Ice made fresh daily with real fruit
- Signature frozen custard
- Gelati treats that layer both Italian Ice and custard
- Rotating seasonal flavors and limited-time offerings
All four DFW locations will feature drive-thru service, a format central to Rita’s North Texas strategy and designed to meet guests where they are, whether that’s an after-school pickup, a post-game stop or a late-night sweet craving. The drive-thru format, especially when paired with North Texas’ warmer climate, allows Rita’s to serve guests year-round and create more opportunities for everyday treat occasions.
Construction on the remaining three DFW locations is underway, with openings planned throughout 2026, pending permitting and renovations. Each new shop will bring local jobs and first-job opportunities for high school and college students in those communities.
Specific opening dates and grand opening details for the Flower Mound, Carrollton and Farmers Branch locations will be announced closer to launch. For updates on openings and flavor announcements, visit RitasIce.com or follow Rita’s on social media.
About Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Founded in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, in 1984, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has been dedicated to spreading “Ice, Custard, Happiness!” ever since. Now the largest Italian Ice concept in the world with more than 600 shops, Rita’s continues to earn national recognition for its strength and growth, ranking No. 198 on Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500 and No. 211 on Restaurant Business’s 2024 Top 500 list.
Guests around the world visit Rita’s to celebrate everyday moments with freshly made Italian Ice, crafted daily with real fruit, signature Frozen Custard and layered Gelati treats served in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. As the brand continues to expand, Rita’s is actively seeking passionate franchise owners who want to bring its beloved frozen treats to more communities. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit OwnARitasFranchise.com or call 1-800-677-7482.
Contact:
Betsy DeMik
Champion
972-930-9933
bdemik@championmgt.com
The post Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Opens July 1 in North Richland Hills, First of Four New DFW Locations first appeared on RestaurantNews.com.
