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.

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.

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.

Ephrata Pita Pit owner is 'Rookie of the Year'

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article on the Columbia Basin Herald titled, "Ephrata Pita Pit owner is 'Rookie of the Year'". The article begins with franchisee Pam Leseman's new found media fame since winning her Rookie of the Year award, and how she got involved with Pita Pit. The article provides information about Pam's community involvement and how Pam's Pita Pit is in the smallest city that the brand exists in. You can read the article by clicking here or begin below.


"Ephrata Pita Pit owner is 'Rookie of the Year'"
By Justin Brimer

EPHRATA - Pam Leseman said she feels like a celebrity. The long-time Ephrata resident recently won the Rookie of the Year Award for her new Pita Pit franchise store. She said she fielded telephone calls on Monday morning from media outlets across the country.

She has spent nearly a lifetime in the restaurant and catering industry and said her decision earlier this year to jump from management to ownership was the right call at the right time.

Leseman formerly managed the Ephrata Subway. When their corporate office laid her off and much of her staff in April 2013, she decided to open her own store in town.

"I guess I decided on Pita Pit after three people came up to me in the same day and said, you know you should open a Pita Pit here.," she said.

Click here to read the entire article.

Introduction of Flex Improves Business For Pita Pit

Pita Pit were recently in an article on "The Flat Hat" titled, "Introduction of Flex Improves Business For MOOYAH, Pita Pit". The article discusses how the Williamsburg Pita Pit has been added to the college's meal plan. The article begins with a little background on Pita Pit being added to the student meal plan where students can use Dining Dollars and the success they've since seen. You can read the full article here or begin below.

"Introduction of Flex Improves Business for MOOYAH, Pita Pit"
By Amelia Lucas

Sodexo USA has brought many changes to the College of William and Mary this semester, but based on the number of Dining Dollars students are using, the addition of Tribe Square restaurants to the meal plan might be the most beloved new change.

Alpen Patel, the owner of Williamsburg MOOYAH and Kim Twine, the owner of Pita Pit, have both noticed an increase in business from College Students

Click here to read the entire article.

Pita Pit opens near Dillon campus

Pita Pit was recently featured in an article in the Dillon Tribune titled, "Pita Pit opens near Dillon campus". The article discusses how Franchisee Ashly and Travis loved Pita Pit in college and then eating it after their baby was born, which led them to their decision to bring Pita Pit to Dillon. The article then provides details of the construction and renovation, proximity to the college, and discusses future plans. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Pita Pit opens near Dillon campus"
By J.P. Plutt

Dillon's Ashly and Travis Cottom have opened Pita Pit, a fast food restaurant, near the University of Montana Western at the former location of Dairy Queen.

Ashly Cottom and her husband Travis enjoyed their college years at the University of Montana in Missoula. The couple regularly dined at Pita Pit and when they spent three weeks in January at the neonatal intensive care unit watching over their young son, they began calling Pita Pit for deliveries to the hospital.

"I wanted to try something different," said Ashly, who at the time was the manager at Wells Fargo Bank in Dillon. "We started thinking it would do really well here in Dillon. This building came up for sale shortly after that so we decided to go for it." 

Click here to read the entire article.

Rolling out: Pita Pit expands into Dillon

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article in the Montana Standard titled, "Rolling out: Pita Pit expands into Dillon". The article begins with information about Pita Pit opening in Dillon and Franchisee Ashly Cottom's decision to join the brand. Ashly discusses Pita Pit's role in setting up franchise owners for success. You can read the entire article here or begin below:

"Rolling out: Pita Pit expands into Dillon"
By Matt Hoffman

Dillon is an outside-the-box market for most-chain restaurants. that's not scaring a company that's betting pitas can envelop the fast-food landscape.

Pita Pit opened in Dillon on Tuesday - the smallest market ever for the international chain with more than 500 locations.

Ashly Cottom is continuing the chain's use of local owner/operators and furthering the trend of young people reviving Dillon's business scene.

"We decided it was a good time, it needed to be now," the 30-year-old owner said.

Click here to read the entire article.

Pita Pit Doors Swing Open

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article on the KDBM-KVEV titled, "Pita Pit Doors Swing Open". The article discusses the opening of Pita Pit in Dillon and provides information on store hours and the opening day. Click here to read the entire article or begin below.

"Pita Pit Doors Swing Open"
By KDBM-KVEV

Word spread fast on Tuesday that Pita Pit had opened their doors. The old building, which used to house another restaurant has been transformed into a modern, hip new eating establishment.

The new business is owned by Ashly Cottom and her husband. The two have lived together in Dillon for 5 years (her husband was born and raised in Dillon) and Ashly was managing the Wells Fargo in Dillon, but kept thinking back about enjoying Pita Pit while she was in college.

Click here to read the entire article.

Entrée salads step into the spotlight

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article on Restaurant Hospitality in an article titled, "Entree salads step into the spotlight". The article is a trend piece about entree salads becoming more popular on the menu. It mentions how Pita Pit offers any of its pita's "Fork-style" to satisfy customers needs. Click here to read the entire article or check out a snippet below.

"Entree salads step into the spotlight"
By fsvoice

To satisfy customers who are attempting to cut down on carbohydrates or avoid gluten, the Pita Pit offers any of its pita sandwiches "Fork-style" without the pita, says Kevin Sanders, vice president of brand marketing for the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based fast-casual chain with 500 restaurants, mostly in Canada and the United States. Each salad is paired with its own unique sauce prepared by nationally branded suppliers.

Just as quests can build their own pita combinations, they also can customize their own salads, choosing from proteins, vegetables and cheese.

"We call it the personalization - you can make the pita exactly the way you want," Sanders says. "It can be light and healthy, or a little bit more decadent, if that is what you are looking for."

Click here to read the entire article.

Try Tailgating with Sandwiches from the Pita Pit

Pita Pit's Carlos Serrano was recently featured in a segment on Fox Studio 10 Mobile titled, "Try Tailgating with Sandwiches from the Pita Pit". Carlos was in the Studio 10 kitchen showing viewers the different types of pitas that they can surprise their friends and family with at tailgating parties this football season. You can check out the video by clicking here or you can view below.

Analyze this: The cost of counting calories

Pita Pit were recently featured in Restaurant Business Magazine in an article titled, "Analyze this: The cost of counting calories". The article focuses on how restaurants have had their menu analyzed for nutritional elements and discusses how Pita Pit has focused on nutritional content on its menu. You can read they full article by clicking here or you can begin below.

"Analyze this: The cost of counting calories"
By Amanda Baltazar

It's been four years since President Obama decreed, through the Affordable Care Act, that restaurants with 20 or more units list caloric information for standard menu items. The Food and Drug Administration is still finalizing the rules, but restaurants will have to contend with them any day now. How do you fit hefty menu analyses that can stretch over hundreds of SKUs into the budget. We asked several operators, who already have gone through the process to share what worked - and didn't work - for them.

Click here to read the full article.

Pita Pit now open

Pita Pit were recently featured in The Sumter Item in an article titled, "Pita Pit now open". The article features franchise Ram Venkannagari and announces the opening of the Pita Pit in Sumter. You can click here to read the entire article or begin below.

"Pita Pit now open"
By Jim Hilley




Pita Pit, 1029 Broad St., Suite B., is now open. The restaurant was supposed to open mid-June, but problems with construction set the opening back to Friday.

Patience has finally paid off for Sumterites pining for the opening of the community's first Pita Pit at 1029 Broad St., Suite B. The popular restaurant, which promotes itself as a healthful alternative to fried fast foods, opened its doors at 10 a.m. Friday, two months after its much anticipated opening date in mid-June.

The owner had an explanation for why people's pita cravings remained unsatisfied.

Click here to read the entire article.

Pita Pit was the right fit.

Pita Pit were recently featured in the Las Vegas Sun/VegasINC in a story titled, "Pita Pit was the right fit". The article highlights franchisee Paul Sergi and the reasons why he joined the Pita Pit team. In the Q&A story, Paul provides answers to how he got into restaurants and discusses that his interest has always been cooking and researching recipes. You can click here to view the article or begin below.

"Pita Pit was the right fit"
By VEGAS INC staff



Describe your business
We sell a healthy, quality product in a clean environment with exceptional customer service. We have a wide variety of vegetarian/vegan, breakfast (served all day) and lean meet pitas. We have a full line of smoothies and a Coke Freestyle beverage machine that dispenses over 120 flavors.

Who are your customers?
Our customers are anyone who wants a quick meal but doesn't want to eat 700 calories and 30 grams of fat. We believe people are tired of the high-fat, high-carb, zero-nutrition, fast lunch and dinner options like pizza, burgers and tacos.

Click here to read the entire article.

Pita Pit on FOX Studio 10

Pita Pit were recently featured on FOX Studio 10 in a segment revolving around National Grilling Month. The segment provides different recipes to spruce up those Summer BBQ's. Pita Pit's Carlos Serrano shows off three different recipes; The Black Bean Burger Salad, Philly Cheese Steak and Aloha Wrap. You can view the segment below or by clicking here.

Pita Pit restaurant to open on Ogden Avenue in Brookfield

Pita Pit were recently featured in an article on My Suburban Life titled, "Pita Pit restaurant to open on Ogden Avenue in Brookfield". The article talks about the opening of Roshan Patel's Pita Pit in Brookfield and how it will be located next to Roshan's family's Dunkin' Donuts. The article touches on upon Roshan's family's extensive business background, and how their support will help Roshan's new business thrive. Click here to read the entire article or begin below.

Pita Pit restaurant to open on Ogden Avenue in Brookfield
By Hannah Prokop

 

BROOKFIELD - Pita Pit owner Roshan Patel hopes to provide fresh and healthy options for customers with the opening of her first business. The Pita Pit will open at 9200 Ogden Ave., next to a Dunkin' Donuts that Patel's father owns.

Patel's family has been in the restaurant franchise business for around 25 years, she said, and she has learned a lot from helping her father and mother with their businesses since she was 9 years old.

Her parents own several Dunkin' Donuts and Subway franchises, but Patel decided to open the Pita Pit location because she sees more people being health conscious.

Click here to read the entire article.