Rita's Italian Ice, also known as Rita's Water Ice, is an East Coast regional chain based in Trevose, Pennsylvania in Bensalem Township, selling mainly Italian ice, frozen custard, and gelati (not traditional Gelati, see below), as well as its specialty creations.

Rita's was founded in 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo with a recipe that he purchased from an elderly neighbor that he then adjusted to enhance the flavors and include real fruit. By 1987 a second store was opened, and in 1989 the family decided to franchise their business. Today, there are over 500 locations in 20 states and the District of Columbia. In May 2005, the company was sold to McKnight Capital Partners, a private equity group with extensive franchise experience. McKnight Capital Partners recognized the organization’s growth potential and set into place plans to take the company to the next level.

In April 2007, Rita's moved its Bensalem headquarters to the Trevose section of Bensalem Township.

In 2011, Falconhead Capital purchased a controlling interest in the company from an investment group led by Jim Rudolph. Falconhead named their operating partner Thomas Christopoul as the new chairman and interim chief executive.

Italian ice, also known as water ice, is a sweetened frozen dessert made with fruit (often from concentrates, juices or purées) or other natural or artificial food flavorings, similar to sorbet. Italian ice is not shaved ice that is flavored; rather, it is made by the same process by which ice cream is made: freezing the ingredients while mixing them. Italian ice differs from sherbet in that it does not contain dairy or egg ingredients, though it may contain egg white. Common flavors include blue raspberry, cherry, lemon, mango, orange, strawberry, and watermelon, with numerous other flavors available.