Pita Pit

Thanks so much for stopping by the Pita Pit blog. For more information on our fresh and healthy offerings and what's happening with the Pita Pit brand please check out our company website at www.pitapitusa.com.

Pita Pit in QSR

Pita Pit has been able to enjoy tremendous growth over the last 20 years by building brand loyalty in both large cities, but also in smaller markets where franchisees are able to connect with their customers on a sometimes deeper and more intimate level. Find out how community involvement is key to success in a small market. You can check out the article here, or continue below.

“Diamonds in the Rough”

By Sam Oches

The fast-casual renaissance that has taken over the restaurant industry in the last decade has lately infused excitement and momentum into the broader limited-service sector. Market research firm Mintel found that sales at fast-casual restaurants grew 10.5 percent last year, compared with 6.1 percent growth from quick-service restaurants.

But that renaissance has so far been mostly confined to major U.S. markets. Cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver have proved to be hotbeds for fast-casual development, while other mid-sized and large cities have become the default destination for brands’ expansion plans, both corporate and franchise. The reason for that, of course, is plain: the bigger the city, the more potential customers, especially customers with more dollars to spend.

Continue and read the article here. 

Pita Pit in the Cincinnati Business Courier

RadioShack recently announced the closure of thousands of existing stores, which creates additional real estate opportunities for businesses like Pita Pit looking to break into the Cincinnati market. Find about what the real estate specialist at Pita Pit thinks about these site opportunities and how converting an existing space can save money. You can check out the article here, or continue below.

“Cincinnati RadioShack closures make way for new opportunities”

By Andy Brownfield

When RadioShack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, it announced that 11 Cincinnati-area stores would be closing. But that could mean a big opportunity for other companies trying to enter the market.

Continue and read the article here. 

Pita Pit in Loyola Phoenix

Pita Pit will soon be opening the doors to its restaurant next to Loyola University. In preparation for its opening, Pita Pit operating partner Manuel Valdes to learn more about the brand. Find out about the new location and what to expect when the new Pita Pit opens. You can check out the article here, or continue below.

“New local eats: what to expect”

By Matt Boey

Does new always mean improved?

That’s the question for two new additions to Loyola’s off-campus food joints: the health-orientated fast food alternative Pita Pit and Insomnia Cookies, a late-night bakery that has become a staple on many other college campuses around the country. But are these new joints worth the time and, most importantly, the money?

Continue and read the article here. 

Pita Pit in Franchise Times

On the heels of slumping sales across the globe, McDonald’s is looking for ways to enhance their image with the coveted millennial segment. Jordy Patano, digital marketing manager for Pita Pit, talked to the Franchise Times about how attracting millennials may not be easy for McDonald’s. You can check out the article here, or continue below.

“Attracting millennials may not be easy for McDonald’s”

By Tom Kaiser

As all eyes are on McDonald’s latest Create Your Taste program, to lure young customers, we tapped a few  in the coveted generation to get their point of view. Plus they describe their dream burger, just for fun.

Millennials love authenticity. Organic cotton flannel shirts with shiny, pearl-snap buttons. Electronics made with real glass and aluminum. Chocolate milk stouts brewed just down the street. Celebrities that follow you back on Instagram. That kind of stuff.

Continue and read the article here. 

Pita Pit on FOX Studio 10 Mobile

Consumers are looking to spice up all of their meal options this year; many fast food brands have been adding new items to their menus for a limited time. Pita Pit, a 500+ unit franchise brand, is no stranger to limited time items. In fact, Pita Pit’s Carlos Serrano introduced the Boom Boom Chicken that he is offering at his Mobile Pita Pit for Mardi Gras. You can check out the segment here.

Tips for Eating Healthy in 2015

With consumers looking to eat healthier in 2015, many fast food brands have been promoting their low-calorie items in the New Year. Pita Pit, a 500+ unit franchise brand, is no stranger to healthy marketing. In fact, Pita Pit’s Jesse Gonzalez introduced the variety of customization available at Pita Pit to continue your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthy. Watch as Jesse creates a Light Chicken Souvlaki pita with the anchor, demonstrating how you can load up our pitas at Pita Pit with fresh veggies and ingredients. You can check out the segment here, or continue below.

“Tips on healthy eating for 2015”

By Lisa Gonzales

Jesse Gonzalez with Pita Pit is here to show us how to "build a better pita" that maintains flavor while cutting calories.

Continue and watch the video here. 

Build Your Own Healthy Pita with Pita Pit

Pita Pit was recently featured on WKOW's Wake Up Wisconsin . Pita Pit is a 500+ unit franchise brand that is no stranger to healthy marketing. Pita Pit’s Chuck Tier introduced the variety of customization available at Pita Pit to help fans eat healthy. They discussed the “Build A Pita” option available on the website to create a delicious and healthy pita to your liking. You can check out the segment here, or continue below.

“Fast food chain boasts healthy menu options”

By: Caroline Bach

The sandwich chain, Pita Pit, defines their menu as being one with "fresh thinking and healthy eating."  

As people are on a mission to eat healthier this time of year, the fast food restaurant is sharing healthy recipes on their menu that guests can enjoy in their restaurant or recreate at home.  

Continue and watch the video here. 

Pita Pit Weighs In On FDA Calorie Info on Menus

Pita Pit was recently featured in The Ledger. Pita Pit’s VP of Research and Development Benjamin Drake was interviewed for an article about the new FDA regulations requiring franchises to display calorie information on menus. Pita Pit, a leader in the healthy food segment, has been displaying calorie information for more than two years now. You can read the full article here, or continue reading below.

“Chains Prepare as FDA Rule Requires Calorie Info on Menus”

By John Ceballos

Benjamin Drake, vice president of research and development for Pita Pit, acknowledges the rule can potentially be an inconvenience.

"Now, if we make a change to a product — like using a different protein or switching to a different kind of ham — then the calorie count becomes lower and higher, and we have to change everything in terms of our menu.

Continue reading the article here. 

Pita Pit is Expanding in the Milwaukee Area

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal. Pita Pit opened their second Milwaukee location in the downtown area. The new restaurant is owned by Andrew Culp, who owns a Pita Pit in Madison, and he’s already got his sights set on a third Pita Pit. Milwaukee Business Journal spoke with Bill Wilfong, VP of Franchise Development for Pita Pit, for an update on the brand and their plans in the area. You can read the entire article here, or you can continue below.

“Pita Pit opens in downtown Milwaukee, plans third localrestaurant”

By Alison Bauter

The city of Milwaukee's second Pita Pit location opened Tuesday, this one on Wisconsin Avenue downtown.

Franchisee Andrew Culp already has a Pita Pit franchise at 2224 N. Farwell Ave. He also owns one on State Street in Madison. The new location opening this week is at 229 E. Wisconsin Ave., in the Railway Exchange Building downtown.

Read more here. 

Make 2015 Your Best Year Yet with Pita Pit

Pita Pit was recently featured in Nation’s Restaurant News.  The article focused on comfort foods that have taken a healthful turn and included Pita Pit’s Resolution Solution lineup of six pita-based sandwiches under 500 calories. This includes the popular Philly Steak Pita. According to Benjamin Drake, vice president of research and development, the brand wanted to choose one of its most popular offerings to show customers it could be more healthful. You can read the entire article by clicking here, or you can continue below.

“Comfort Foods Take a Healthful Turn”

What is it about winter’s abbreviated days and frigid temperatures that trigger our cravings for heavy, high-calorie foods at the very time of year when we’ve just resolved to swear off them? We classify cheesy-starchy casseroles, rich and meaty stews and gooey hot sandwiches as comfort foods for a reason: once eaten and inside us, all just seems well.

Fortunately, chefs have succeeded in reducing the negative nutritional impact of our beloved comfort foods — cherished dishes like Grandma’s multi-meat, multi-cheese lasagna. They have found that by replacing meats with vegetables and other lower calorie ingredients they can offer a new version of an iconic favorite that is both savory and smart. In addition, these wholesome remakes have led to further experiments with bolder sauces, varied cooking techniques and artful plate presentations.

Read the full article here. 

Pita Pit is Finding Room in the Convenience Store Industry

Pita Pit was recently featured in Convenience Store News and Petroleum Magazine. The piece looks at how QSR brands expanding with the convenience store model. Elliott Oil Company opened a new convenience store in Ottumwa, IA that incorporates Pita Pit. Andrew Woodard, VP of Elliott Oil Company, discussed the decision to bring Pita Pit into their portfolio and why Pita Pit is a great opportunity to grow in the convenience store industry. You can read the article by clicking here, or you can continue below.

“Up-and-coming QSR brands find room to grow in c-storechannel.”

By Samantha Oller

When it comes to foodservice, breaking with tradition can be good—and even offer a more sustained avenue of growth. This is especially true when it comes to signing with a foodservice franchise, where up-and-coming brands are focusing on the c-store channel as a fast, more economical way to get known in the crowded space.

Several factors are driving interest in nontraditional locations overall, says Aziz Hashim, president and CEO of NRD Holdings LLC, an Atlanta-based franchisee-sponsored and -managed equity fund. Among those factors include saturation of traditional sites and the need to find growth opportunities for mature brands. But for developing brands—those whose locations number in the hundreds, not thousands—it is especially attractive, considering the premium on real estate for freestanding locations.

Read the full article here. 

Pita Pit Enters Des Moines

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Des Moines Register. The article looks at how Mike Rink opened a new Pita Pit in Urbandale at 4212 Merle Hay Road. The new location will be offering online and mobile app ordering services. Find out about the three more stores that Mike looks to open in the metro area and the variety of meats and vegetables that his current locations offer on pitas.

“Pita Pit opens in Urbandale”

By Patt Johnson

A Pita Pit restaurant opened Tuesday at 4212 Merle Hay Road in Urbandale next to the Dunkin’ Donuts shop.

The store will seat about 42 people and offer online and mobile app ordering services. Owner Mike Rink also operates Pita Pit stores in Ankeny, Cedar Falls and Waterloo. He hopes to open three more stores in the metro and is looking at building restaurants in West Des Moines and along Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. A third location is undetermined, although Rink said he has been looking in downtown Des Moines.

Read the full article here.

Fresh Thinking, Healthy Eating with Pita Pit

Pita Pit was recently featured on ezCater. Recently data has shown that 40 percent of consumers are likely to visit a restaurant if it offers healthy options, like Pita Pit. At Pita Pit we strive to offer fresh and healthy products made with a healthful focus in mind. Find out how we partnered with nutrition analysis company Healthy Dining to develop customizable sandwiches in the 300-450 calorie range. Also find out how Pita Pit is expanding across the nation and targeting corporate catering.  You can read the article by clicking here, or you can continue below.

“Fresh Thinking, Healthy Eating”

Recent data shows that 40% of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant if it offers healthy options. In response, many major brands—including Subway and McDonald’s—have added low-calorie selections to their menus. Fast-casual chain Pita Pit takes healthy eating a step further. In 2013, they partnered with nutrition analysis company Healthy Dining to develop customizable pita sandwiches in the 300-450 calorie range. Pita Pit’s ingredients contain no additives or preservatives, and they back up their health-centric brand culture at every store: none of their locations use fryers or convection ovens; everything is grilled. How’s that for forward-thinking food?

Continue reading the article here.

Eat Healthy in 2015 with Pita Pit

Pita Pit was recently featured on WKRG Take 5. Carlos Serrano from Pita Pit was in the WKRG Take 5 studio to talk about how viewers can maintain flavor while eating healthy in the New Year. Carlos went through the six different pitas that Pita Pit offers that are all under 500 calories and how viewers can make similar items at home. Furthermore, Carlos talked about the fun giveaways that they offer to guests and the food truck that they drive around town to bring pitas to customers. 

You can see the entire “Pita Pit: Pita Builds” segment here. 

Keep Your New Year's Resolutions with Pita Pit

Pita Pit was recently featured on News 10 NBC Today – WHEC TVRochester, the segment was titled, “Keeping your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier.” The video features six pitas less than 500 calories to let fans eat great and watch their weight. Watch as Judy Pennington from Pita Pit walks us through how to make the pitas. You can read the article by clicking here, or you can continue below.

“Keeping your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier.”

We are in the first full week of 2015 and for those of you who are trying to stick to your resolution to eat healthier, we have some options for you!

Judy Pennington of the Pita Pit joined Rebecca Leclair on News10NBC Today to showcase six new, low-calorie pitas. She also explained how you can build your own and keep your calorie count low. Press play on the video player.

Click here to read the entire article and watch the video. 

Ridgeland's The Township soon will have Pita Pit

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article in The Clarion-Ledger titled, "Ridgeland's The Township soon will have Pita Pit". The article announces that Pita Pit will soon be opening in Ridgeland, and describes the menu items that will be available. You can read the full article by clicking here or you can begin below.

"Ridgeland's The Township soon will have Pita Pit"
By Nell Luter Floyd

The Township at Colony Park in Ridgeland will sport the metro area's second location of Pita Pit.

Maulik Patel, franchisee, opened the metro area's first Pita Pit in November 2013 in a 600-square-foot space at the food court at the Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl.

Patel plans to open the Ridgeland location, which is across from Sombra Mexican Kitchen and in a strip of businesses that include Metropolitan Bank, Super Shakes and Sportique apparel in early March.

Click here to read the entire article.