Rita's is giving customers a free 6-ounce cup of Italian Ice at its shops to mark the first day of spring, with outlets across the United States taking part. The chain will serve signature flavors such as lemon, cherry, and mango, and it will add a new limited-time Mystery Peeps Italian Ice.
The Mystery Peeps offering appears as a white Italian Ice with a secret flavor profile, and the flavor draws inspiration from Bethlehem-based JustBorn, the maker of Peeps marshmallow treats. USA TODAY reported that the giveaway covers more than 600 Rita's locations nationwide, and that the company expects to serve about one million cups as part of the annual promotion.
WPVI described the event as a Philadelphia-area tradition and said local Rita's shops are among those handing out the complimentary cups. Customers may choose a familiar flavor or try the new mystery option when they visit participating Rita's locations on the first day of spring.
Contest Mechanics And Marketing Tie Ins
Rita's is inviting customers who try the Mystery Peeps Italian Ice to guess its flavor for a chance to win prizes. Entrants may submit guesses online at RitasIce.com/peeps, and correct entries will be entered in a random drawing for rewards including free water ice for a year and Rita's plus Peeps swag packs, with five winners chosen at random, as reported by USA TODAY.
The promotion also includes a Peeps Marshmallow Chick topper available for spring treats. In a Rita's news release quoted by USA TODAY, Carmela Hughley, senior vice president of marketing insights and innovation at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, said the collaboration links two iconic brands and aims to evoke playful, nostalgic, and mysterious feelings while encouraging fresh ways for guests to interact with the products.
Both WPVI and USA TODAY pointed readers to Rita's online entry page for the flavor guessing contest and additional promotion details. WPVI noted the local tradition and provided the same web address for submitting guesses and learning more about the Mystery Peeps Italian Ice.
