Pita Pit featured in the Argus Leader

Pita Pit was featured in the Argus Leader with an article entitled "Pita Pit to provide new fast-food option." The article was built from an in-depth interview with Peter Riggs discussing Pita Pit's development plans for the Sioux Falls region. In addition, Tom Cruse, Pita Pit's new franchisee in Sioux Falls, was interviewed to discuss his new opening and why Pita Pit will be a great addition into the community. Click here to view the full article.

"Pita Pit to provide new fast-food option"

Sioux Falls is getting a new fast-food franchise this year.

The Pita Pit is set to open its first franchise store mid-2011. The franchise owners have signed a deal to open a total of three restaurants in the city, said Peter Riggs, vice president of Pita Pit.

Tom Cruse, who will manage the restaurants and will be part owner, said the location for the first Pita Pit hasn't been finalized.

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Pita Pit featured in the Coeur d'Alene Press

Recently, The Pita Pit was featured in an article in the Coeur d’Alene Press about the brands success over the course of 2010. While many brands struggled to expand, The Pita Pit opened nearly 20 locations in 2010 and is on pace to open 25 in 2011. In addition, the brand moved up 36 places on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 listing as #124 on all franchise opportunities throughout the nation. Peter Riggs, VP of Corporate Business Unit, discussed the increasing access to SBA loans, which will assist entrepreneurs looking to open a Pita Pit in 2011. Riggs also discussed how the brand is finding new ways to cut costs and save money for the franchisees in the current economic climate. Click here to view the entire article.

Pita Power
By DAVID COLE

COEUR d'ALENE - For the fifth straight year, Pita Pit Inc., with 187 U.S. franchises, has made Entrepreneur Magazine's "franchise 500 list."

The chain was No. 1 within its category (pita sandwiches). Pita Pit Inc. is the franchising arm of Pita Pit USA Inc., headquartered in Coeur d'Alene.

Pita Pit was No. 124 in overall top U.S. franchise opportunities, moving up 36 positions from 2010.

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Pita Pit Launches “Resolution Solution” Campaign to Promote a Healthy Start to the New Year

The Pita Pit, a 180-unit franchise popular for serving quick and healthy alternatives to fast food, is launching its “Resolution Solution” campaign to help American’s keep their New Year resolutions. The campaign promotes six delicious and healthful pitas, ranging from 280 to 450 calories and packed with flavor.

“As one of the few QSR concepts founded and wholly centered on healthy dining options, we are continuously trying to provide a product that satisfies our customers’ taste buds without stretching their waist lines,” said Peter Riggs, Vice President of Corporate Business of The Pita Pit. “The ‘Resolution Solution’ campaign offers even lower calorie options in addition to our existing healthy choices in an effort to assist consumers in making smart eating decisions in the new year.”

The “Resolution Solution” campaign, which kicks off January 1 and lasts to mid February, will start the New Year off right with six customized pitas each weighing in under than 500 calories. Four of these featured pitas are 400 calories or less, providing meals packed with flavor but without the high fat content. These new offerings focus on healthy ingredients such as grilled chicken breast, grilled steak and fresh vegetables and as well as light sauces including the Mediterranean tzatziki sauce. Two “Resolution Solution” options are the Light Chicken Caesar, with grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, and the Light Mediterranean, with babaganoush, fresh spinach, tomatoes, onions, black olives and tzatziki sauce. Other choices include the Light Aloha, Light Garden, Light Buffalo Chicken, and Light Steak Fajita.

“Our overall mission is to provide our fans with a menu consistent with a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Jack Riggs, CEO of The Pita Pit. “’Resolution Solution is designed to help our patrons keep their resolutions in 2011 with health conscious offerings.”

Continuously offering innovative food options and tools, Pita Pit continues to excel, grow and reach new customers in the QSR industry. Ranked number one in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, The Pita Pit also ranked #105 in global franchise opportunities in Entrepreneurs Magazine’s 2011 listing. Over the course of 2010, Pita Pit opened 25 more locations through the support of both new and existing franchisees.

The Pita Pit Recognized as Top Franchise Opportunity by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – For the fifth straight year The Pita Pit, a 187-unit pita franchise offering a healthy alternative to fast food, has owned Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. This year’s rankings were no different, as the chain was not only No. 1 in its category, but No. 124 in overall top U.S. franchise opportunities, moving up 36 positions from 2010.

“We’ve been incredibly successful through the combined factors of our amazing franchisees and the loyalty and dedication of our fans,” said Dr. Jack Riggs, CEO of Pita Pit. “We are thrilled to be recognized yet again by such a prestigious institution and look forward to climbing even higher next year.”

While Pita Pit opened nearly 20 locations in 2010, it also reached uncharted territory for many franchises over the last five years, in that it opened more than 140 U.S. locations despite rocky economic conditions and other growth difficulties experienced by many franchises. Additionally, over the last five years, Pita Pit has improved the model with additional systems, infrastructure, and a fresh leadership team all designed to help propel its growth towards the 200-unit mark during 2011.

“We made great strides towards taking Pita Pit past 180 units this year in the U.S. and are prepping for an even bigger 2011,” Riggs said. “Positioned for steady growth, we are consistently introducing new products to continually satisfy our fans’ taste buds.”

Entrepreneur Magazine has conducted the Franchise 500 survey for 32 years. To determine rankings, each company is evaluated on its financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of system, years in business and franchising and percentage of unit closings. In 2011, Pita Pit plans to continue their national expansion with plans to add 25 units and rise even higher in the rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, all through the support of new and existing franchisees.

With nearly 300 total locations in North America, Pita Pit has initially found success serving up a healthful variety of pita sandwiches on more than 100 Division-1 college campuses across the U.S, but has since expanded to many cities and communities without a collegiate presence. Unlike its quick service competitors, Pita Pit offers a large number of low-calorie, healthful options, making it the breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-hours snack choice for people aiming to keep their diets wholesome and their bodies fit without sacrificing great taste.

“We’ve stayed at the top of our industry by offering a healthy, personalized product and a genuine experience,” said Pita Pit’s VP of Corporate Business Unit, Peter Riggs. “In 2011, we hope to introduce our concept to more and more untapped markets and rise even higher on the Franchise 500 list.”

Pita Pit on FOX 12 Portland's Good Morning Oregon

This morning, Keith Kunis, manager of the Pita Pit on Hawthorne, demonstrated some great ways for viewers to make healthy pita’s for all of their Oregon Duck fan's BCS Bowl Championship parties. Keith had a few pita’s that were prepared for the segment and also gave some recipes for the football tailgating and parties. Online, FOX 12 posted the recipes given live on the show, and also posted a coupon for a buy one get one free at the Pita Pit on Hawthorne.

Preparing For Game Day: Pita Snacks

Looking for a tasty treat for your BCS national championship game party? Pita Pit shares some ideas.

(View Here)

Pita Pit featured in Jacksonville Business Journal

Pita Pit was recently featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal entitled, “Communication Key to Good Time-Off Policy.” The article was built from an in-depth interview and photo-shoot with Daniel DeLeon, Pita Pit’s Fleming Island Franchisee, where he is interviewed as an expert source on giving time off during the holidays. DeLeon provides his advice on the topic and shares his experiences as a local business owner. In addition the article delves into his background and history with the Pita Pit brand. To view the article in its entirety be sure to click here.

Communication key to good time-off policy
by DOLLY PENLAND

Scheduling time off around the holidays can be a challenge, but business owners who have vacation and leave policies in place and have clearly communicated those policies to their employees can avoid conflicts and potential ill will.

“We are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day,” said Daniel De Leon, owner of The Pita Pit restaurant in Fleming Island. “We [schedule] in rotation. And we don’t just include holidays. We include sporting events, Florida-Georgia, Florida-Florida State. So, if you are off on Florida-Georgia, you are at the bottom of the list for Christmas or New Year’s or Halloween. Our ...

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