Rita’s Italian Ice & Custard, a Pennsylvania-based Italian Ice chain, is opening its first outpost in the San Antonio area later this year. Landing at 2009 South Walnut Avenue in New Braunfels, the shop will neighbor establishments such as Kauffman Orthodontics, Papa John’s Pizza, and Skip’s Beer Wine & Liquor.
While Rita’s is famously “the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation,” currently operating in 30 states with more than 600 shops, the chain is still new to Texas — there are only four existing locations.
Behind the expansion are franchisees and couple Matthew Okerson and Frances Garcia, who became familiar with Rita’s during time spent in the Northeast. Okerson tells What Now San Antonio, “She’s from Maryland — Rita’s is big on the East Coast — so, when we’d go home to visit her parents, we’d always swing by.”
At Rita’s, New Braunfels residents can expect to find a selection of frozen treats, including Italian ice, frozen custard, milkshakes, sundaes, frozen custard cakes, custard cookie sandwiches, and layered gelati.
Rita’s on South Walnut Avenue is slated to open this August.
However, that’s not all Okerson and Garcia have up their sleeves. The pair plan to open a second New Braunfels shop near WestPointe Village in late 2024, and a third in Creekside in 2025.
