Ice to the desert: Rita's plans 46 Mideast stores

Rita's Italian Ice, the Trevose company that calls itself the world's largest water-ice store chain with more than 600 locations, says it has contracted with onetime Starbucks executive Faysal Younes' Eathos Ltd., Dubai, to open at least 46 stores over the next ten years, in Turkey and seven Middle Eastern Arab nations: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

"The warm climate makes the Middle East a natural market for Rita's cool treats," Younes said in a statement. Rita's last year said it also has stores in Canada, China, India and the Dutch Caribbean islands. The store count was around 556 back in 2009, up from 300 in 2005, when founder Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter who named the chain after his mom, sold Rita's to McKnight Capital of Pittsburgh; it was purchased in 2011 by New York investor David Moross' Falconhead Capital (they also own Escort radar detectors and ESPN Classic of Europe).

Rita's also plans to "double" its U.S. stadium service locations, in partnership with Rutherford, NJ-based 16W Marketing, Rita's CEO Jeff Moody said in the statement.. Rita's treats and "limited table menus" are now offered at 8 stadiums, including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; two stadiums in each of New Jersey and Pittsburgh; and at stadiums in Washington DC, Denver, and San Diego.