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.

Growing Pita Pit Serves up Success

Pita Pit were recently featured in the July print issue of North Idaho Business Journal. The article is a feature on Pita Pit USA's success and growth. Pita Pit USA's President of Franchise Operations, Corey Bowman discusses the company's commitment to the success of its franchisees throughout the article as a key factor in the companies continued successful expansion. Click here to read the article or begin below.

"Growing Pita Pit Serves up Success"
By Beth Hanggeli Nibj

Success.

Spend a few minutes with Corey Bowman, former vice president and now president of franchise operations at Pita Pit USA, and you'll quickly realize that success is his passion.

But it's not only the success of the company that he cares strongly about. Bowman is passionate about the success of each franchisee in the Pita Pit family.

"I want to give people an opportunity to be successful," he said. "People are the reason that we do this work."

Click here to read the entire article.

Pita Pit in Idaho State Journal

Pita Pit in Idaho State Journal in an article titled, "The Pita Pit in Pocatello Moves to a New Location with a Grand Opening Slated for Dec. 11."  The article details, Brian’s history with the Pita Pit brand and his dream of owning his own store. He also touched on the passing of his father and how that was the ultimate decision to become a business owner and to follow in his footsteps. Brian discussed why he decided to move the location of the original store, the vision he has for his Pita Pit and what it means to him to now be a business owner. There was also a photo of Brian that was taken outside of his new location. Click here for the entire article or begin below.

The Pita Pit in Pocatello Moves to a New Location with a Grand Opening Slated for Dec. 11

By: Tammy Scardino

POCATELLO — Before the Pita Pit rolled into town, Brian Christensen had to drive to Logan, Utah to fulfill his taste buds’ craving.

After he initially fell in love with the food, the Gate City native applied for a job and worked his way up to the top spot.

Christensen took over ownership of the Pocatello Pita Pit located at 1799 Hurley Dr. in May 2012.


Today, a grand opening celebration is slated to take place at the restaurant’s new location at the corner of 4th Avenue and Center Street. Pita specials will be offered all day long.

(Read More)

Pita Pit featured in Phoenix Business Journal

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Phoenix Business Journal in an article entitled, "Franchise couple bringing fresh Pita Pits to Phoenix market."  The article focused on the Runyan’s and their signed deal with Pita Pit. Specifically, Todd expanded on his plans for development and how he and his wife signed a deal to open up 11-units throughout the Arizona market. Corey further discussed the Pita Pit concept and the franchising opportunity that the brand offers.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

Franchise couple bringing fresh Pita Pits to Phoenix market
By: Tim Gallen

As if Phoenix’s fast-casual restaurant space weren’t competitive enough already, Idaho-based Pita Pit has plans to bring its healthy brand of pita sandwiches to the market with several new stores beginning early next year.

Arizona couple Todd and Blanca Runyan have signed a franchise agreement to bring 11 Pita Pit locations to the Valley beginning with a location on Mill Avenue in Tempe, which is slated to open early next year. They are in the process of moving to the Phoenix area from Yuma, where they opened another Pita Pit this month.

(Read More)

   

Pita Pit Featured in Business News Daily

Pita Pit was featured on Veterans Day on BusinessNewsDaily.com in an article titled, ‘How the Military Prepares Veterans to Start a Business.’ Jack Riggs, CEO of Pita Pit USA shared some insight on how his military training helped prepare him for not only small business but politics as well. After serving as a medical doctor for the U.S. Air Force, Riggs started the first immediate-care facility in Northern Idaho, launching him in to a future of business. He also shared some insight for returning military veterans on how their training with teamwork and the chain of command can assist entrepreneurs get their business started.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.

How the Military Prepares Veterans to Start a Business
By: David Mielach

Jack Riggs

Jack Riggs served as lieutenant governor of Idaho and an Idaho state senator before being named CEO of the restaurant chain Pita Pit in 2006. Riggs, however, says his real business training came as a result of his career in the military.

After serving as a medical doctor in the U.S. Air Force, Riggs transitioned into the world of business by starting the first immediate-care facility in north Idaho, he said.

"In military service, you learn a great deal about systems, communication and discipline," Riggs said. "You also learn about teamwork and chain of command. I definitely used all of those tools when I became a 'business owner' in 1985 – and I have used them since in my political career, as well as now, as CEO of Pita Pit USA."

 

(Read More)

 

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.

(Read More)
    

Pita Pit's on Foursquare!

Have you seen us on Foursquare?

Pita Pit is in the process of hosting Foursquare specials in all of their corporate locations! The special currently running at 5 of their locations is a Mayor Special that awards the mayor with a free pita with every check-in!

The Corporate locations that currently have this special are:

1. Pita Pit E Indiana Ave.
   Spokane Valley, WA 99216
2. Pita Pit
   W Prairie Ave.
   Hayden, ID 83835
3. Pita Pit
   E Sherman Ave.
   Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
4. Pita Pit
   N Hwy. 41
   Post Falls, ID 83854
5. Pita Pit
   W Main Ave.
   Spokane, WA 99201

In addition, there are three non-corporate locations that are running a similar special, along with a check-in special of a free 22oz drink with a purchase of a regular pita.

1. Pita Pit
   2228 Grand AveBillings, MT 59102
2. Pita Pit
   311 Alexander St
   Rochester, NY 14604
3. Pita Pit
   1100 Jefferson Rd
   Rochester, NY 14623

Have you checked into any of these locations recently?

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.

Coeur d'Alene Press covers Pita Pit

COEUR d'ALENE - Pita Pit USA Inc., based in Coeur d'Alene, continues to see franchise growth while many other food franchises have been slowed by the continued weak economy.

Company representatives also said that the company has seen an increase in the number of applications for franchises, but the franchisor has been selective about new owners and franchise locations.

Many new Pita Pit franchise owners are recent college graduates, some of whom have had difficulty finding employment because of the economy, a trend which is expected to continue. Other new franchise owners are people who have lost their jobs in the economy and have become frustrated working for others, said Kevin Quinn, director of franchise development.

The recent college grads often partner with parents or others who can provide the financial backing, he said. "The young franchisees fit well in the college environment," said Quinn.

(READ MORE)