Sweet oasis: Pennsylvania-based Rita's Italian ice chain is expanding to Middle East

It's not a mirage: Rita's Italian Ice is bringing its cool treats to the Middle Eastern desert.

The Pennsylvania-based chain said Wednesday it's contracting with a Middle East food executive to open 46 stores in the next decade in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and five other Arab nations.

Rita's contractor Faysal Younes says the Middle East's warm climate makes it a natural market for Rita's sweet, frozen concoctions.

The company's store total doubled to more than 600 in 27 states in the last 10 years, and it's partnered with a New Jersey firms to increase its presence at sports stadiums.

Now it's looking for international growth. Besides the Middle East, Rita's says it's opened or planning stores in Canada, China, India, the Philippines and the Caribbean.