By Eva Elfie 
In a shocking turn of events, the beloved American ice cream brand Thrifty is shutting down over 500 in-store ice cream counters across the United States. The closures come as a direct result of Rite Aid’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, which has sent ripples through the retail and frozen dessert industries alike. For fans of the creamy, hand-scooped cones that defined childhood summers, this feels like the end of an era.
The primary reason behind these closures is financial strain faced by Rite Aid, the parent company of Thrifty Ice Cream. In May 2025, Rite Aid officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing billions in debt and a sharp decline in in-store sales. The decision to shut down over 500 Thrifty ice cream counters is part of a wider restructuring plan aimed at reducing operational costs.
These Thrifty counters were located inside Rite Aid pharmacy stores, and while they were once a customer favorite, changing consumer habits and a drop in foot traffic led to underperformance.
According to multiple reports, the majority of closures are expected in California, where Thrifty was originally founded. Several other states across the West Coast and Southwest, where the chain had a significant presence, will also be affected. These include Arizona, Nevada, and Washington, among others.
Rite Aid has already started shuttering physical stores, particularly those with overlapping service areas or low profitability. Unfortunately, the nostalgic Thrifty scooping stations didn’t make the cut.
Despite the mass closures, Thrifty Ice Cream is not disappearing completely.
Here’s what will remain:
- Retail Packs: Thrifty pints and quarts are still being sold at grocery chains such as Albertsons, Vons, and Safeway.
- Independent Thrifty Locations: A few independent ice cream shops operating under the Thrifty license may continue to operate.
- Factory Operations: Rite Aid has announced it is seeking buyers for its Thrifty factory in El Monte, California. Interested buyers have until June 2025 to place their bids.
This means there is hope that another food company or private equity firm could acquire the Thrifty brand and keep its legacy alive.
Thrifty wasn’t just an ice cream brand — it was an experience. For decades, customers visited their local Rite Aid stores not just for prescriptions, but also for a scoop (or two) of chocolate malted krunch or mint chip served with Thrifty’s signature cylindrical scoop.
With competitive brands like Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone, and Ben & Jerry’s dominating the gourmet space, and new “health-conscious” frozen dessert options on the rise, Thrifty’s classic appeal gradually lost its edge — especially among younger, health-driven consumers.
While this might seem like a goodbye, the brand’s story might not be over. If a buyer steps in, we could see:
- A modernized version of Thrifty with more retail presence.
- Expansion into online delivery or subscription models.
- A resurgence via specialty dessert chains or malls.
For now, however, fans will have to stock up on what’s left in grocery stores and hope for the best.
The closure of over 500 Thrifty ice cream counters marks a bittersweet chapter in America’s dessert history. While Rite Aid fights to stay afloat, one can only hope that the creamy legacy of Thrifty finds a new scoop of life under different hands.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual cone lover, this story is a reminder that even the most nostalgic brands aren’t immune to economic realities.
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