Pita Pit featured in The Telegraph

Pita Pit was recently featured in The Telegraph in an article titled, "Pita Pit offers healthy fast food."  The article focuses on the Pita Pit that recently opened up in Edwardsville on Monday, June 4th. Further, the article discussed the concept of the Pita Pit brand. Bill Wilfong elaborated more on the plans for expansion for the brand, and also spoke on how the brand was created. Jim Hettler explained his experience as a franchisee and business owner.  Click here for the entire article or begin below.  

Pita Pit offers healthy fast food
By: Jess Charlton

EDWARDSVILLE - Eating healthy can be difficult, especially if you have a busy life and are constantly on the go. Now you can eat fast and healthy, thanks to Pita Pit.

"The concept of Pita Pit was started in 1995 in Kingston, Ontario, by two men, Nelson Lang and his friend, Johnny Sotiriadis," Pita Pit USA director of franchise development Bill Wilfong said.

Lang and Sotiriadis wanted to create a different type of restaurant and in 2005, Pita Pit was born. Pita Pit has many different styles such as Mediterranean, Greek and Lebanese. The food is put into a pita pocket and rolled up, which looks like a burrito. But instead of tortillas, they use the healthier option of pita bread.

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Pita Pit featured in Belleville News-Democrat

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Belleville News-Democrat in an article titled, "Air Force veteran tries his hand as restaurateur."  The article focused on Jim Hettler and his upcoming Pita Pit opening in Edwardsville, IL. The article told Jim’s story of how he discovered Pita Pit and why he decided to franchise with the brand. Further, the article discusses some Pita Pit menu items and how the food is a healthy alternative to fast food.  For the entire article click here or begin below.

Air Force veteran tries his hand as restaurateur
By: Will Buss

Jim Hettler is the owner of Pita Pit at 215 Harvard Drive in Edwardsville, and hopes to have the restaurant open in early June.

Outlook: "I wanted to go out there and see what I can do and be a part of it."

Since retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Jim Hettler has had his own home-building business and is now preparing to open a restaurant. The veteran is the first metro-east franchisee of Pita Pit and plans to open his first restaurant next month in Edwardsville with plans to open another in O'Fallon at some point. His will join 300 U.S. locations in the chain that connects consumers with a healthier dining option and alternative to the typical fast-food choices. Pita Pit's motto is "fresh thinking -- healthy eating" and features a menu of grilled meats, fresh vegetables and zesty sauces rolled in pita bread. Hettler recently talked to business writer Will Buss about his service in the military and his life as a civilian entrepreneur:

How did you find this pita bread-based restaurant chain?

"Four years ago, I was taking my daughter to Iowa City to find her a place to live because she was accepted to go to law school there, and we were going through town trying to find a place to park, and we happened to park in front of a Pita Pit. It just so happened that I was thinking about opening a little restaurant of this nature in our local area."

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Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/05/28/2189038/air-force-veteran-tries-his-hand.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Pita Pit featured in the Orlando Business Journal

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Orlando Business Journal in an article titled, "Two retailers adding up to 20 new metro Orlando sites." The article features Patrick O'Dell, Pita Pit Orlando franchisee, and Peter Riggs, VP of Brand Development. With the recent opening of Patrick O'Dell's fifth location in Orlando, the market provides strong growth  and Peter discussed the time line for expansion and the opportunity for potential candidates to still get decent real estate prices before the market starts to change. Peter also shared Pita Pit's success throughout the Florida market, with over 25 restaurants open across the state. Click here to view the full article.

Two retailers adding up to 20 new metro Orlando sites
By:  Anjali Fluker

Glenn Ajmo is capitalizing on the tail end of a tenants’ retail market.

The Marco's Pizza area director and other local franchisees are banking on what could be the last round of landlords’ lower rents and tenant-incentive dollars to outfit retail spaces for new businesses.

That has driven at least two concepts, Marco’s Pizza and Pita Pit, to plan for nearly 20 new stores with 330-455 workers within one to three years in Central Florida for a total of $2 million-$7 million.

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Pita Pit New Openings!

These past few weeks have been an exciting for Pita Pit  because we opened two new locations!

Our first location is in Apopka, Florida opened by Pita Pit franchisee Patrick O'Dell officially on January 30th. 

Pita Pit franchisee Patrick O'Dell

Apopka is located on 3030 E. Semoran Rd., Apopka FL.

Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10:30am - 11pm

Phone: (407) 637-2900

Our second location to open was in Dickinson, North Dakota by franchisee Chris Volk on February 9th. This is Chris's second location in North Dakota. 

Pita Pit franchisee Chris Volk (right) and his Manager Jesse (left)

Dickinson is located on 1785 1st West

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 6am - 10pm

           Friday: 10am -2:30am

           Saturday: 8am - 2:30am

           Sunday: 9am - 10pm

Phone: (701) 483-0606

Be sure to go out and visit these two locations if you are in the area!

Pita Pit featured in Oklahoman and NewsOK.com

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Oklahoman and NewsOk.com in an article titled, "Health conscious businesses expect an after New Year's rush." In the article, Pita Pit franchisee Ray Reyes talks about how customers appreciate the “Resolution Solution” and the healthy menu options. He also says that Pita Pit is always a healthy option, not just during the “Resolution Solution” campaign. This is a great way for the community to see that going out to eat can be a healthy experience and also a way to stick with their New Year’s resolutions year-round. Click here to read the full article.


Health conscious businesses expect an after New Year's rush
By: Jennifer Palmer


As many retailers see sales slow in the post-Christmas season, business at Coolgreens restaurants is expected to rise 35 percent in the new year. It's a phenomenon many health-conscious businesses such as restaurants and gyms see in the weeks and months after New Year's, when many people are enthusiastic about their resolutions to eat healthy or lose weight. 

Coolgreens, which has been steadily growing its metro-area presence and is on track to open its fifth location this month, has a menu full of healthy options like salads, soups, flatbread pizzas and frozen yogurt. Managing partner Allan McMurrain said the concept was founded on the premise that people would eat healthy if given the option.


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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.

Pita Pit featured in Florida Times Union

Pita Pit was featured in an article in the Florida Times Union, entitled “Pita Pit Opens Thursday in Jacksonville Beach.” The article was composed from an in-person interview with Christy Whitkop, who at just the age of 28 is opening the restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. The article discusses Christy’s entrepreneur story, her expansion plans, the Pita Pit’s menu options and how she will connect with the local community, including delivery and social media. Click here to view the full article!

Pita Pit opens Thursday in Jacksonville Beach
by Gary Mills

It didn't take long for Christy Whitkop to realize one restaurant's closure was her opening to get into the restaurant business.

Days after Lubi's Hot Subs closed at 500 Third St. N. in Jacksonville Beach in March, construction crews were busy demolishing the interior of the restaurant, making way for Thursday's opening of The Pita Pit.

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Pit Pit featured in The Orlando Business Journal

Pita Pit was recently featured in the Orlando Business Journal in an article entitled, “Pita Pit Franchisee to Debut in Lake Mary Eatery.” The article featured Pita Pit’s Orlando Franchisee, Patrick O’Dell, who is opening his fifth Pita Pit location throughout the Orlando metro region. With additional locations in the Winter Park and University of Central Florida, Patrick is continuing to expand offering a healthy alternative to fast food to the Orlando community. Pita Pit has had tremendous success in the Orlando market and is continuing to expand despite the economic climate. Click here to view the article in its entirety!

Pita Pit franchisee to debut Lake Mary eatery
By Anjali Fluker

The Pita Pit Orlando will unveil its fifth local restaurant next month.

The new 1,800-square-foot, 35-seat eatery is slated to open March 1 at 4235 W. Lake Mary Blvd., in the Shoppes at Lake Mary center. Geneva-based Michael Chesanek Construction Inc. is the contractor on the buildout, which is valued at $130,000.

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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.

Pita Pit Franchisee Featured in Charlotte Business Journal

Charlotte Pita Pit Franchisee, Peter Keretsis, was featured in a Charlotte Business Journal article today. The article was built from an in-depth interview with Peter Keretsis about his experience as a small business owner. The article is a Q&A discussing Peter’s entrepreneur story as a business owner and how his journey landed him back in Charlotte. The article also discusses his success in the Charlotte market and new areas that would be a great fit for the Pita Pit brand.

Charlotte Pita Pit Franchisee, Peter Keretsis with his business partner and wife, Angela.

Cutback becomes recipe for success
by Adam O’Daniel

Peter Keretsis believes his quick-service restaurant franchise, The Pita Pit, has the potential to grow across the region.

But he also says it’s important to balance his hours at the uptown restaurant with time with his family at home. So for now, he’s focused on maintaining that equilibrium, instead of expanding the business.

You once owned Pita Pit stores in Athens, Ga., and Columbia, S.C., in addition to the uptown store. Why did you sell them?
I love my wife and my kids too much. I sold the other two so I could be at home more to spend more time with them.

It wasn’t a financial reason, both stores were doing great. But I was working too much. So I made the personal decision to cut back and spend more time here.
Things are going so well here at this store now that I’m afraid to try and branch out again and ruin a good thing that I’ve got going. But I guess you never say never.

Are there other areas of Charlotte where a Pita Pit would succeed?
I feel like a location at University City would be great. They’d get the best of both worlds because they could draw the business customer during the day and then also be attractive to students at UNCC. I think one would do good in Stonecrest or in Ballantyne. Maybe even SouthPark, if you could find the right place with the right rent.

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