CLEVELAND - s4story -- Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the world's largest Italian Ice concept with more than 610 locations world-wide, announced the opening of its newest location in Mentor, Ohio at 7652 Mentor Avenue, offering the community a family-friendly destination to celebrate and enjoy affordable frozen treats together.

The shop will celebrate with customers by hosting a grand opening event on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12 to 3 p.m. EST with face painting. The first 50 guests in line at the grand opening event will receive free Italian ice for one year!

The new Rita's location is a family-owned franchise led by local Ohio entrepreneur Jim Myers. This is Myers' sixth Rita's location, with other shops in Streetsboro, Austintown and Akron, Ohio and Coraopolis and Hermitage, Pennsylvania. Mentor will be the first shop for the Myers family in the Cleveland area and will be operated by Myers' son Danny Myers.

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"We are thrilled to bring the first Rita's to the area, as Mentor is a perfect family-oriented community with lots of traffic, homes, stores and shopping," said Myers. "With a drive-thru for easy access and ordering regardless of weather, we'll be able to serve our guests delicious frozen treats and new flavors year-round, helping to quickly become a fan favorite and be a destination to create lasting memories."

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 Blendinis®, Milkshakes and more.

For more information about Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard and to find  shop hours, please visit Rita's (7652 Mentor Ave, Mentor OH) (https://www.ritasice.com/location/ritas-of-7652-mentor-ave-mentor-oh/).

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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. 209 on Restaurant Business's Technomic 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.