Ritter's Frozen Custard Poised For Expansion With New Year-Round Building Design

Ritter's Frozen Custard, one of the fastest growing ice cream Franchises in the United States, is taking their signature concept to a new level by adding indoor seating and a drive-thru window to accommodate customers 365 days a year.

The new prototype offers indoor seating and a drive-thru option, while preserving the walk-up window and patio experience that has become Ritter's stock-in-trade.

"Customers can still walk up, place their orders and sit down at umbrella-shaded picnic tables to eat outside or they can enjoy the cool and clean atmosphere indoors," founder John Ritter said. "In fact, customers have already commented on how excited they are to have these new options."

The unique appeal of the round white building with a blue roof has always captivated the attention of customers and passers-by alike. Now with the option of indoor seating and a drive-thru window, mothers with small children or even the elderly will find it more convenient to enjoy Ritter's products in rain or shine, in warm weather or in freezing temperatures.

The new prototype, which is now open in Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana and under construction in the Detroit area, will be the model for all future Ritter's Frozen Custard freestanding locations. The move toward inside seating and increased service points opens up opportunities for Ritter's in regions of the country with cooler climates.

"Our new model is a significant step toward future expansion. We are optimistic that this new design will open up a whole new window of sales for our franchisees and broaden our customer base throughout the United States," Ritter said.

Ritter's Frozen Custard is based in Indianapolis, Indiana and currently has 36 locations operating in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. An additional 10 locations are slated to open by the end of 2002 with a total of 200 projected new locations within the next five years.