Pita Pit featured on Tallahasse.com

Pita Pit was recently featured on Tallahassee.com in an article titled, "Pita Pit reopens with energetic new owner."  The article talks about Andrew Cook, 25, who reopened Pita Pit in Tallahassee on Friday, August 24, just as the students at the Florida State University returned to the campus. Cook first hear about the Pita Pit opportunity after he graduated from the University of Idaho and opened the location in San Luis Obispo, CA before moving to Tallahassee to take over this new restaurant.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Pita Pit reopens with energetic new owner
By: Dave Hodges

When opportunity presents itself, Andrew Cook is the kind of guy who is ready to act.

Born and raised in Idaho, Cook, 25, moved to California after graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree in civil engineering. The lure was the chance to get started in business with The Pita Pit restaurant franchise in San Luis Obispo. He did well there and got a year’s management experience in the process.

Cook then heard about an opportunity to reopen the franchise’s location in Tallahassee and build The Pita Pit brand locally. “Once I heard that, I jumped at the opportunity to bring a healthy alternative to fast food to Tallahassee,” he said.

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Franchisee Profile: Richard Gross, Franchisee of Saucon Valley & Lehigh Valley, PA

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Opening Date: August 4, 2011

Location: Saucon Valley & Lehigh Valley, PA

Q: Where are you from?

A: Although I transferred to the Bethlehem PA area in 1992, I’m originally from Chicago and have been in Boca Raton Florida sing 2007. My son, Matt, actually runs the Pennsylvania stores. My other son works for Intel.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: In addition to assisting my son with the Pita Pit locations, I’m also the Chief Financial Officer for Mori Lee, a bridal company.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business?

A: I decided to help my son open his own business because he was passionate about being an entrepreneur after graduating from Penn State. When I asked him what he wanted to do with his education, he informed me that he wanted to open a Pita Pit restaurant. He chose a great location, so we decided to go for it.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision?

A: Because my son loved the food so much, he knew he wanted to be a part of the Pita Pit team.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

A: Joining a franchise system was appealing to Matt and me because systems are already in place and it allows for better profits due to buying power. There’s absolutely no way you can get such attractive prices on your own, simply because you don’t have the purchasing power. However, the franchise system allowed us to utilize the franchise’s buying power to its fullest.

Q: With regard to your previous experience, what skills do you feel helped you in your business?

A: With extensive experience as a Chief Financial Officer, my ability to watch and know numbers has helped tremendously. I’m able to reconcile monetary transactions and monitor food and labor costs immeditaltey and can identify wehn soemthing is not going correctly.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: Our business is different because of the quality and quantity of food Pita Pit provides. It makes people happy.

Q: What are your expansion or development plans?

A: Approximately six months after the upcoming opening in the Lehigh Valley Mall, I hope to begin working with the Simon in the King of Prussia Mall. Our goal is to open a location in the mall’s food court in order to gain high foot traffic. If we do well, the sky’s the limit with Simon mall openings! When it’s all said and done, we’re hoping to have four or five Pita Pit locations.

ABOUT PITA PIT

Founded in 1995 in Ontario, Canada, The Pita Pit was a fast food restaurant with a new and unique approach. The goal was to offer quality, healthy, fresh food fast. Realizing great success, franchising began across Canada in 1997. Franchising in the United States began in 1999, and Pita Pit Inc. was formed. The first US store opened at Syracuse University and the second near the University of Idaho. In April 2005, Pita Pit Inc. was acquired by Idaho-based Pita Pit USA, Inc.. The Pita Pit concept now boasts 300 stores in North America, and is recognized as No. 1 in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. The Pita Pit connects healthy food with people seeking alternatives to the typical fast food choices. Pita Pit’s motto is “fresh thinking – healthy eating”, and features a menu based on the customer’s choice of grilled meats, fresh vegetables, zesty sauces, and a pita rolled into a unique and convenient package. Pita Pit Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based Pita Pit USA, Inc. For more information about The Pita Pit, visit www.pitapitusa.com.

Franchisee Profile: Patrick O'Dell, Franchisee of Lake Mary, FL

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Opened: February 21, 2011

Location: Lake Mary, FL

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: I’m from southern Idaho.

Q: What did you do before becoming a Pita Pit franchisee?
A: Before joining Pita Pit I worked as a bar tender and later as a health inspector.

Q: Are you a first time business owner?
A: I own four Pita Pit franchises in the greater Orlando area. The first opened in July of 2003 and the most recent was in August 2009.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: While I was bartending, the owner of the Washington State University and University of Idaho Pita Pit locations was a customer of mine and often told me about the company. I also inspected two Pita Pits.

Q: Why was this brand the right fit for you?
A: In 2003 I was looking for a change of pace and Pita Pit seemed like a great opportunity. They offered flat rate royalties and seemed to be targeting a much younger demographic for franchisees. They wanted people who could operate a Pita Pit 16-17 hours a day and still run around promoting it.

Q: What are your future goals or development plans?
A: After the Lake Mary store I’m planning on opening one more Pita Pit. We’re still looking for the right location, which can be a challenge in Orlando.

Franchisee Profile: Brad Alexander of the Lancaster, PA Pita Pit

Open Date: September 22, 2010

Location: 398 Harrisburg Ave Suite #500
Lancaster, PA 17603

Phone: 717-517-7111

Hours of Operation: Sunday – Wednesday 9am – 10pm; Thursday – Saturday 9am – 3am


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How Brad Got Started with Pita Pit…
While entertaining several franchising opportunities, including an approval with Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, entrepreneur Brad Alexander stumbled upon Pita Pit while dining with his brother at an established Pita Pit location. There he instantly fell in love with Pita Pit’s fresh taste and overall brand concept and delved into researching franchising opportunities. Once he realized that his “good to be true” idealization of Pita Pit was not a myth, Brad partnered with friend of ten years and likeminded entrepreneur Nathan Groff to bring the first Pita Pit to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Brad’s Entrepreneurial Background…
Brad is no stranger to entrepreneurship, having started his first business at the age of 18 to finance his college education. After college, Brad continued down the entrepreneurial path and has owned and operated a handful of successful businesses in the hospitality and real estate industries, laying the foundation for his in-house leadership role at his Pita Pit location. He will be joined by partner Nathan, who has owned several martial arts studios in the past, in the day-to-day operations and the success of Pita Pit.

Note: Brad and Nathan want the focus of pitching efforts to be less about them personally and more about the business of Pita Pit.

Brad’s Plans with Pita Pit…
With Lancaster positioned between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Brad is optimistic for the city’s growth and thus, success of Pita Pit. Finding a home for his Pita Pit location in an old foundry building near the Frankin and Marshall College campus, Brad hopes to become a favorite among college students and people who love fresh and healthy foods. As he grows the brand within Lancaster he and Nathan will explore additional restaurant locations as opportunities arise.

Franchisee Profile: Bret Gibson of Pita Pit Lewiston, ID

Today we are highlighting Bret Gibson in our franchisee profile. Bret is the franchisee of the Lewiston, ID Pita Pit and is approaching his 1 year anniversary with Pita Pita as he has been a Pita Pit Franchisee since December of 2010

Location: 908 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501


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How Bret Got Started with Pita Pit…
Bret Gibson learned about Pita Pit through his previous job, where he owned a flooring company. He was installing floor into a fraternity house and looking for a place to grab lunch. He stumbled across Pita Pit and gave it a try, where he said he knew instantaneously that this was a great concept that he had to be a part of. With a down economy, and the construction industry drying-up, Gibson decided he wanted a career change, “The first thing that entered my mind was Pita Pit, and the rest is history.”

Something Interesting About Bret’s Story…
Gibson is a self described entrepreneur at heart. As a child, he never was quite sure what he wanted to do, but saw and has now followed in his grandfather’s footsteps as a passionate entrepreneur, continuing in his family history. Other members of his family, brother, Derek MacArthur and friend, Geoffrey Eldridge are both involved with the Lewiston Pita Pit as its General Managers. The trio plan to continue in the development of the brand to bring this fresh concept to other areas throughout Idaho.

Community Involvement...
Gibson is definitely excited to really ingrain The Pita Pit into the Lewiston community. Besides being a part of the Chamber of Commerce, he wants to sponsor local sports teams and other community organizations.

Family Life…
Gibson and his wife, Sarah, have two children; son, Braxton,12 and daughter, Savannah,3.

Franchisee Profile: Tiffani Morrel of Pita Pit Glen Allen, VA

Today we are highlighting Tiffani Morrel in our franchisee profile. Tiffani is the franchisee of the Glen Allen, VA Pita Pit and has been a Pita Pit franchisee since April of 2009.

Location: 4040 Cox Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23060


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Tiffani’s Story…
Tiffani Morrel has been in the restaurant business since she was a teenager. Throughout her career she has moved up in the ranks from a waitress to a manager and now she is a restaurant owner of the Pita Pit. When looking for a new venture in the restaurant industry, Morrel and her husband, Norman, came across an opportunity to own an established franchise location in Glen Allen. The Morrel’s quickly jumped at the chance and now are part of a growing national healthy fast food franchise, with plans to expand the brand throughout Virginia.

Community Involvement…
Although the restaurant has only been under the Morrel’s ownership for less than a year, the Glen Allen location partakes in sponsorships and donations to local community groups, especially the local schools.

Family Involvement...
Tiffani and her husband, Norman, have a 4-year old girl named Gabriella. Norman Morrel is still involved in a career in computers, but helps out in the Pita Pit location as much as possible.

Franchisee Profile: Tim Goff of Pita Pit Sarasota, FL

Today we are highlighting Tim Goff in our franchisee profile. Tim is the franchisee of the Sarasota, FL Pita Pit and is approaching his 1 year anniversary with Pita Pit as he has been a Pita Pit franchisee since December of 2009.

Location: 6500 Superior Ave, Sarasota, FL 34231


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How Tim Got Started with Pita Pit…
After graduating college, Jim Goff went into the real estate industry. As an investment, he decided to open a restaurant and some friends of his from University of Florida couldn’t stop talking about Pita Pit. After researching the concept, Goff drove to Orlando to see what all the hype was about and was immediately sold. He opened his first location in Ft. Myers. When the real estate market got bad, he decided to take his franchising endeavors to a new level. He bought up two additional locations, Tampa and Tallahassee, and has re-opened them under his ownership. Now, he is adding a fourth to his profile with the opening of his newest location in Sarasota.

Something Interesting About Tim’s Story…
Goff, just 25-years old, owns three other Pita Pit locations; Ft. Myers, Tampa and Tallahassee. Goff is a self proclaimed entrepreneur since the age of 12-years old, where he has always tried to start-up his own businesses for profit. He has always been very business savvy in his thinking. He has big goals to continue the development of the Pita Pit brand throughout Florida with a goal to develop six locations per year.

Community Involvement...
Goff always tries to ingrain himself in the communities that he serves. He works with local school in providing free food for special events and sponsorships. He also is passionate about raising money for causes such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Breast Cancer Association and The American Heart Association. Last year, his Ft. Myers store raised $2,000 for MDA. He plans to continue in servicing the community and raising money for these causes in all his locations.

Family Life…
Gibson and his wife, Trisha, have a son Austin, 2.