FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2021–2023
RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS Item 20: outlets, closures & growth
In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2023), RITA'S ICE-CUSTARD-HAPPINESS reported 546 franchised outlets at year end. 15 of 528 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 2.8%— while 32 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved +1.9% over 2021–2023.
| Status (FTC) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlets at start | 532 | 537 | 528 |
| Opened | 23 | 20 | 32 |
| Transfers | 29 | 36 | 36 |
| Terminations | 11 | 13 | 9 |
| Non-renewals | 2 | 8 | 3 |
| Reacquired by franchisor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ceased — other reasons | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Outlets at end | 537 | 528 | 547 |
| Net change | +5 | -9 | +19 |
9 terminations + 3 non-renewals + 3 ceased (other) = 15 exits ÷ 528 at start = 2.8%
These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (36) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (0) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate” — this annualized exit rate is the disclosed, measurable floor.
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