In celebration of the debut of its newest Italian Ice flavor, the 600-plus strong Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard franchise in the United States has teamed up with the TBS cable television network to launch “A Shirley Good Time” summer range of products inspired by nostalgic flavors and popular situation comedies.
Featuring the cherry and bright citrus flavors of Rita’s new Shirley Temple Ice, the limited-time menu available through August 23 puts a playful spin on Rita’s signature frozen treats with creations inspired by popular TBS comedies, including:
• Bazinga Blast (The Big Bang Theory) — Rita’s Shirley Temple Italian Ice topped with Shirley Sparkle.
• Office Favorite (The Office) — Layers of vanilla frozen custard and Shirley Temple Italian Ice, finished with Shirley Sparkle.
• Brain Freeze Misto (Impractical Jokers) — Creamy vanilla frozen custard blended with Shirley Temple Italian Ice.
• Central Chiller Ice Blender (Friends) — A refreshing frozen beverage blending Shirley Temple Italian Ice into a smooth, icy drink and topped with Shirley Sparkle.
“Summer has always been about creating memories with family and friends, and that’s exactly what this partnership is all about,” said Carmela Hughley, senior vice president of marketing insights and innovation at Bensalem, Pennsylvania-headquartered Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. “After introducing our new Shirley Temple Ice, we wanted to build an experience that celebrates everything people love about summer – from nostalgic flavors to iconic television moments. Together with TBS, we’re inviting fans everywhere to have A Shirley Good Time.”
Expansion Across Priority Markets
Meanwhile, Rita’s is building on strong franchise momentum and is on track to double its 2026 new shop signings. Fueled by entrepreneurs in Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and South-Central states seeking an established, scalable franchise with multiple paths, there has been a 100 percent increase in franchise ownership inquiries compared with 2025.
“We’re seeing tremendous interest from entrepreneurs who want a proven franchise backed by a recognizable brand and an operating model designed for long-term growth,” said Lawrence Brown, chief development officer. “Combined with smaller kitchen footprints, low cost of good sold (<18% on average) no fryer requirements and staffing efficiencies, the model’s real estate flexibility allows franchisees to enter and adapt to local markets while benefiting from a straightforward business operation built to scale.”
Drive-thru development continues to be a significant growth driver. According to Rita’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, drive-thru shops generated 38 percent higher average gross sales in 2025 than comparable non-drive-thru locations.
