Rita’s Italian Ice was founded in 1984 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, by Bob Tumolo, a former firefighter. After purchasing a recipe from an elderly neighbor, Tumolo began playing with the recipe, adding fresh fruit and other ingredients to create a variety of flavors. He began by selling from his front porch, but the popularity of his product had him open a store in 1987. Tumolo named the company after his wife.
Today, Rita’s Italian Ice has more than 600 locations in 25 states, most of them franchises. Today, the company belongs to Falconhead Capital Partners. In addition to Italian ice, the company also sells ice cream, frozen custard, Misto, Blendini, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and Gelati.
Rita’s Italian Ice has approximately 600 full time employees and recently partnered with Cadbury to create Sour Patch Kids Red Italian Ice flavored candy.
Rita's Italian IceRita’s Italian Ice was founded in 1984 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, by Bob Tumolo, a former firefighter. After purchasing a recipe from an elderly neighbor, Tumolo began playing with the recipe, adding fresh fruit and other ingredients to create a variety of flavors. He began by selling from his front porch, but the popularity of his product had him open a store in 1987. Tumolo named the company after his wife.
Today, Rita’s Italian Ice has more than 600 locations in 25 states, most of them franchises. Today, the company belongs to Falconhead Capital Partners. In addition to Italian ice, the company also sells ice cream, frozen custard, Misto, Blendini, ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and Gelati.
Rita’s Italian Ice has approximately 600 full time employees and recently partnered with Cadbury to create Sour Patch Kids Red Italian Ice flavored candy.
I went to the new ritas on blackwood clementon rd with my 8 year old son cause he had a bad day at school and that’s his favorite place to go so wanted to make him happy. I ordered the largest water ice and wanted 3 different flavors I was told I had to park and walk up to get 3 different flavors cause it holds up the line I informed them there was noone behind us they didn’t care we just did 2 scoops then..I pull up and ask why couldn’t I get 1 more scoop since I was already getting 2 and noone was behind us and she said well we can’t do it so I drove up to the the drive throu and asked what’s the difference from walking up and getting 3 and drive thru she tells me my husband and son cause lazy people use the drive throu so we feel like we shouldn’t have to accommodate them.i was so shocked at her ignorant comment that made no sense to me at all and as she telling me that the one that originally saying that was being disrespecting still .I told her to not talk to me I’m not a child nor disrespecting her I didn’t even continue goin back and forth I didn’t want my son to continue to have a worse day.Everytime we go there those to females are ignorant and rude for no reason hopefully something gets done cause they will lose business there with there attitudes and behavior.
Good evening. This is to express my discontent and disappointment for the service I receive today at the 108 Chestnut St. location in Roselle New Jersey, today 7-1-23. The cashier’s name was Melina. I ordered two small ice for my son and I and I requested that the two small icy’s be wiped off prior to being placed in the bag, because they were dripping and leaking on the counter. Her response to me was “well who actually made the two ice for you?” I explained to her that there was only two other people that were within her perimeter that she could check with and that I’m not sure why the question was posed to me and I just wanted to small ice to be wiped off and placed in the bag. She then began to answer me sarcastically, stating “why can’t she asked me a question and if I didn’t want to answer the question, then I should just say I don’t want to answer the question.” I explained to her that that type of interaction and customer service is not appropriate and that I would be making a formal complaint. She then stated “why don’t you just go ahead and pay is it OK if I ask you if you’re going to pay?” I then again said to her that her tone and her sarcasm was not appreciate it, I then asked for the managers name and someone that I could reach out to you to discuss the situation and my discontent. She then gave me a card that was sitting in front of the register. I took the receipt and I went to go make a call to make the complaint. As i left a message based on the card, I began to further examine the card abs realized that it was someone who is not affiliated with the Rita’s. I then went back to the store as I was halfway home to inquire about who I could speak with. They said they didn’t have a card, and that that was the only card that they had. However, the card was for an outside entity that was placed there to advertise their business not anyone from Rita’s. I was then advised that I could call back to the store tomorrow to speak with the manager and her name is Adaline. I am terribly disappointed in the customer service that was received today and I want to submit this as a formal complaint. I will also make the complaint through the corporate headquarters via a call and email, as well. I will visit the store tomorrow to speak with the manager in person about the situation. If I could have someone contact me back, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
I’ve been working at Ritas for 4 years and I have been treated nothing but horrible. The other employees and I do exactly the same thing, however, I am always being criticized. I have been accused of stealing money, which I would never do, and I’ve been blamed for countless other things that I did not do. I have been treated very differently. My boss has talked to co-employees about me behind my back. He also has told me to go find a new job if I complain, all I said was I liked what Ritas workers wore a decade better than what we wear. Just a fashion opinion, nothing against anyone or the company. I am great with everyone and especially customers, but I get treated like the dirty gummy bear that fell under something and is probably covered in ants. Some workers have said it’s because I’m small and vulnerable, but that is no excuse to treat me as he does. I would not recommend anyone work for this company if you don’t want it be treated horribly. I have left countless amounts of times crying. And unfortunately I have trouble standing up for myself because I am actually petrified of my boss, and shake uncontrollably. I should have quit a long time ago but I am not a quitter and I was hoping things would get better. But I deserve to be treated with respect as everyone else. And I will be leaving as soon as I find a new job. Plus minimum wage here is $7.25 and for the first 60 days, I got paid $5.25 which I’m pretty sure is illegal, but whatever.
I went to the Rita’s on 6/18/19 , I told the young girl that waited on me that I wanted a Blue berry gelati and a wild Cherry gelati, When the young lady came back with my
order and I took a bite out of it I found that the young lady gave me half wild cherry and half blue berry , I told her my order was wrong, She then put the gelati back in the freezer right behind where you place your order where the blue ice came from, The owner which is an older black lady, Did not get her name in turn scooped off the custard and put that back in the freezer in a cup and then scooped out the blue berry ice and put that back in where the blue berry ice was instead of throwing it away, There was a family of 5 behind me and also seen what this owner did, And they told me that what she did was disgusting and said they were going some where else. I will never go to that location again, Store # 370 13621 Georgia Av
I don’t like to complain or make anyone look bad but I recently was an employee for ritas Italian ice . Yes we treat customers good, with manners & respect but TRUTH be told , the managers & Co-owners or owners don’t treat there employees right . We love to make everyone happy yes but if the workers aren’t happy then I see no point . I was working at the ritas in City place in west palm beach Florida . For many years I’ve worked for other professional places but I decided to work for them to try something NEW . I never expected to leave the way I did , I quit because when I had an emergency it wasn’t as important to the owners personal life . So came a day where I was really sick & he told me “ I can’t do anything about it , you’ll have to deal with it “ I let that slide . Not only this but during training I was accused of stealing when I hit the wrong button on the Register . IT gets crazier , the employees wouldn’t do there job right and he would never complain but I’d leave everything clean because if not I’d get fired . As a Hispanics person I felt offended & treated less then others who were white (mind you im against racism ) I finally decided to quit because I couldn’t anymore . So comes the day I quit the owner told me to give it another shot things would get better but in reality he just REALLY needed me because the other employees decided to quit as well . I told him I’ll come in for him but I was still leaving a week after & I went in for my PAYCHECK that I waited for 2 weeks & after I told him that he ripped it in my face & threw it and said I was not getting paid for what I already worked for my check was about $700+ plus tips . I had plans with my paycheck that I worked hard for , bill that were due the day after , I found it so rude & disrespectful . It was a sad case because I had to come home & Be behind on my bills because my “ BOSS “ wanted to act childish , sorry to say this but I will never work for this company ever again . The owner name is KEN WEINER .
I am still awaiting a comment from the corporation of Rita’s Water Ice.
I have not had a reply..
Debra Bayges
I have family in Downey Park as I’m typing.
Sept.2 2018. I just received a call that a worker for Rita located near water-world near subway He has blew his nose 2x,sneezed into his hand and not o ‘ve washed his hands nor used a hand sanitizer!
I Informed my relative that I would’ve said something to him right there!!!
Please Let Your workers know This is Unacceptable! Unhealthy! Unprofessional!
The time is 415pm!
I own a building backing up to a RITA’S WATER ICE. since June 7,2017 I have had water coming into my building every day ..I have called plumbers asking to have access to the building to see what is causing the problem. My plumber was denied access on Thursday and told by JOHN THANE he did not have a problem …I removed my wall and floor right away to get rid of the water damage but, I am forced to look at the water damage on the dry wall of Rita’s Water Ice and the stench is unbearable ..I have missed work and cut my hours. I can not stay in my building no more than three hours when my tongue swells. The problem has gone on over three months . I am in need of information if there is a policy or rules that you would abide by as a franchise since you have a food industry you would not be selling food knowing you have water issues causing my business to close because of the stench. I am going forward with fixing my building if there are further issues from this point I will make it a point to let you know.
My name is Debra Bayges
Phila PA. 19128
My complaint is against John Thane
Phila. PA. 19128
I worked at the ritas in Whitehall PA. I quit in may because I lost someone very close to me and my manager jacklynn fry had no respect for what I was going through she told other works and complained about me asking for the week off of my grandfathers death. When I quit it was not only for that but the constant calling off and making close to nothing I also see that this issue from ritas is starting to follow everywhere I apply because they say the reason I don’t get the job is because of what jacklynn said about me. Which she has no reason to talk bad about me considering I dropped everything to do whatever she asked me to do. I cant believe I had to apologize for my own grandfathers death. I also would like to point out the way the store is. Disgusting and nothing is washed correctly they give us 45 minutes to close the store then blame us for having a messy store even though management doesn’t do anything. I would like to see some change in this. They have lost several customers because of their actions and I hope something will happen. I would like to be contacted as soon as possible. Also corporate needs to fix their phones. Workers are unhappy and go home crying.
Stopped at your store on hunting park ave and torresdale in phila and purchased a large water ice (wild burry) and it had large chunks of ice in it. I could not believe it and took pictures. I think this comes from using leftovers from the previous seson. Can you please remedy this.
Kurt
Last night march 30, 2017 I went to Rita’s located on Baltimore and Annapolis Blvd in Ferndale MD it was 8:43 they were closing I asked the young boy leaving the building are you closing he said yep I said it’s only 8:43 you are supposed to stay open until 9 I rushed to get here he said SORRY DUDE. HOW RUDE It was my granddaughters birthday and it was the date that was important.
I recently emailed about a complaint and should have appreciated a simple apology but instead feel disrespected. No one ever wants to find hair in their Italian ice or food. I brought it to the attention of I thought corporate who reached out to the location I purchased from and the email I received wasn’t too pleasant.
“I apologize that you had to feel disturbed. That is not something anyone would like in their italian ice. Humans unfortunately lose about 125 hairs a day, although we do try our best, sometimes it is hard to prevent. I’m sorry you don’t wish to visit our location anymore, I would be glad to make it up to you.
Sorry again,
Jenn”
Not sure if Jenn keeps hair follicle statistics on file but I didn’t find the response was appropriate especially to someone who never said they would discontinue being a loyal costumer.
I’ve been a loyal customer for years and have noticed that military discounts aren’t offered. Is this something that the company doesn’t believe in offering? Do you offer and it’s just a location thing? Just something I thought of since I’ve been supporting since the 90’s. If you haven’t given it much thought or none at all please consider implementing something for veterans and active duty service members.
Our Rita’s looks run down and it’s appearance should always look better. We are located of Forum Drive at the Sandhills Village of Columbia, South Carolina. I have some pictures to share with you, am unable to attach here.