Data: Yelp, Axios research; Note: Includes stores categorized as "ice cream" on Yelp that have reviews. Counties with ties are awarded to the more nationally-popular chain; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals
Move aside, DQ. Rita's queen of this town.
Driving the news: Rita's Italian Ice is the most common ice cream chain across the Philadelphia metro area, per an Axios analysis of Yelp data from Axios' Kavya Beheraj and Erin Davis.
The big picture: Dairy Queen is king of the country — it's the most dominant chain in nearly 75% of U.S. counties, suggesting people really like their Blizzards.
Reality check: Local institutions with only one or a handful of shops won't melt this kind of ranking.
Data: Yelp, Axios research; Note: Includes stores categorized as "ice cream" on Yelp that have reviews; Ties were awarded to the more nationally-popular chain; Chart: Kavya Beheraj and Erin Davis/Axios Visuals
Isaac's thought bubble: Rita's strawberry shortcake concrete is my jam, but the chain has fewer options for my vegan partner, so she resorts to the wild-eyed concoction of mango water ice with Oreo cookie crumbles. What the frozen custard!
Just gonna say it:Dreams Ice Cream in Glenside is where it's at.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the map’s headline and key.