Pita Pit Launches “Resolution Solution” Campaign to Promote a Healthy Start to the New Year

The Pita Pit, a 180-unit franchise popular for serving quick and healthy alternatives to fast food, is launching its “Resolution Solution” campaign to help American’s keep their New Year resolutions. The campaign promotes six delicious and healthful pitas, ranging from 280 to 450 calories and packed with flavor.

“As one of the few QSR concepts founded and wholly centered on healthy dining options, we are continuously trying to provide a product that satisfies our customers’ taste buds without stretching their waist lines,” said Peter Riggs, Vice President of Corporate Business of The Pita Pit. “The ‘Resolution Solution’ campaign offers even lower calorie options in addition to our existing healthy choices in an effort to assist consumers in making smart eating decisions in the new year.”

The “Resolution Solution” campaign, which kicks off January 1 and lasts to mid February, will start the New Year off right with six customized pitas each weighing in under than 500 calories. Four of these featured pitas are 400 calories or less, providing meals packed with flavor but without the high fat content. These new offerings focus on healthy ingredients such as grilled chicken breast, grilled steak and fresh vegetables and as well as light sauces including the Mediterranean tzatziki sauce. Two “Resolution Solution” options are the Light Chicken Caesar, with grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, and the Light Mediterranean, with babaganoush, fresh spinach, tomatoes, onions, black olives and tzatziki sauce. Other choices include the Light Aloha, Light Garden, Light Buffalo Chicken, and Light Steak Fajita.

“Our overall mission is to provide our fans with a menu consistent with a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Jack Riggs, CEO of The Pita Pit. “’Resolution Solution is designed to help our patrons keep their resolutions in 2011 with health conscious offerings.”

Continuously offering innovative food options and tools, Pita Pit continues to excel, grow and reach new customers in the QSR industry. Ranked number one in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, The Pita Pit also ranked #105 in global franchise opportunities in Entrepreneurs Magazine’s 2011 listing. Over the course of 2010, Pita Pit opened 25 more locations through the support of both new and existing franchisees.

The Pita Pit Recognized as Top Franchise Opportunity by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – For the fifth straight year The Pita Pit, a 187-unit pita franchise offering a healthy alternative to fast food, has owned Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. This year’s rankings were no different, as the chain was not only No. 1 in its category, but No. 124 in overall top U.S. franchise opportunities, moving up 36 positions from 2010.

“We’ve been incredibly successful through the combined factors of our amazing franchisees and the loyalty and dedication of our fans,” said Dr. Jack Riggs, CEO of Pita Pit. “We are thrilled to be recognized yet again by such a prestigious institution and look forward to climbing even higher next year.”

While Pita Pit opened nearly 20 locations in 2010, it also reached uncharted territory for many franchises over the last five years, in that it opened more than 140 U.S. locations despite rocky economic conditions and other growth difficulties experienced by many franchises. Additionally, over the last five years, Pita Pit has improved the model with additional systems, infrastructure, and a fresh leadership team all designed to help propel its growth towards the 200-unit mark during 2011.

“We made great strides towards taking Pita Pit past 180 units this year in the U.S. and are prepping for an even bigger 2011,” Riggs said. “Positioned for steady growth, we are consistently introducing new products to continually satisfy our fans’ taste buds.”

Entrepreneur Magazine has conducted the Franchise 500 survey for 32 years. To determine rankings, each company is evaluated on its financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of system, years in business and franchising and percentage of unit closings. In 2011, Pita Pit plans to continue their national expansion with plans to add 25 units and rise even higher in the rankings on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, all through the support of new and existing franchisees.

With nearly 300 total locations in North America, Pita Pit has initially found success serving up a healthful variety of pita sandwiches on more than 100 Division-1 college campuses across the U.S, but has since expanded to many cities and communities without a collegiate presence. Unlike its quick service competitors, Pita Pit offers a large number of low-calorie, healthful options, making it the breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-hours snack choice for people aiming to keep their diets wholesome and their bodies fit without sacrificing great taste.

“We’ve stayed at the top of our industry by offering a healthy, personalized product and a genuine experience,” said Pita Pit’s VP of Corporate Business Unit, Peter Riggs. “In 2011, we hope to introduce our concept to more and more untapped markets and rise even higher on the Franchise 500 list.”

Pita Pit on FOX 12 Portland's Good Morning Oregon

This morning, Keith Kunis, manager of the Pita Pit on Hawthorne, demonstrated some great ways for viewers to make healthy pita’s for all of their Oregon Duck fan's BCS Bowl Championship parties. Keith had a few pita’s that were prepared for the segment and also gave some recipes for the football tailgating and parties. Online, FOX 12 posted the recipes given live on the show, and also posted a coupon for a buy one get one free at the Pita Pit on Hawthorne.

Preparing For Game Day: Pita Snacks

Looking for a tasty treat for your BCS national championship game party? Pita Pit shares some ideas.

(View Here)

Pita Pit featured in Jacksonville Business Journal

Pita Pit was recently featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal entitled, “Communication Key to Good Time-Off Policy.” The article was built from an in-depth interview and photo-shoot with Daniel DeLeon, Pita Pit’s Fleming Island Franchisee, where he is interviewed as an expert source on giving time off during the holidays. DeLeon provides his advice on the topic and shares his experiences as a local business owner. In addition the article delves into his background and history with the Pita Pit brand. To view the article in its entirety be sure to click here.

Communication key to good time-off policy
by DOLLY PENLAND

Scheduling time off around the holidays can be a challenge, but business owners who have vacation and leave policies in place and have clearly communicated those policies to their employees can avoid conflicts and potential ill will.

“We are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day,” said Daniel De Leon, owner of The Pita Pit restaurant in Fleming Island. “We [schedule] in rotation. And we don’t just include holidays. We include sporting events, Florida-Georgia, Florida-Florida State. So, if you are off on Florida-Georgia, you are at the bottom of the list for Christmas or New Year’s or Halloween. Our ...

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Pita Pit Featured in Creative Loafing

Pita Pit is now open for business in Decatur, GA. The Pita Pit has laid down aggressive expansion plans into the Atlanta market with over 100 locations planned throughout the metro area and provides a healthier option than fast food dining across the city. Pita Pit opened yesterday in downtown Decatur and are one step ahead of competition by offering nutrition facts of all of the products they serve. A portion of the article is included below and it can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

Gravy Train: Restaurant Eugene Amps Up Talent, Pita Pit Invades Atlanta

By Laura Horton

Craft beer shop Ale Yeah! is on the verge of opening the doors in Decatur. Along with creative brews, the shop will sell brewing equipment and gourmet snacks like chesse and chocolate. Thrillist reports that Ale Yeah! will also offer homebrew classes in the near future. The shop is aiming open this coming week.

Pita Pit is now open for business in Decatur. This is the first Atlanta area location of the international chain and they are reportedly looking to bring over 100 locations to the Atlanta market as a part of their massive nationwide growth plan. That’s a whole lotta pita! Pita Pit’s spin is healthier alternative to fast food dining and they offer nutrition information on all products.

News of several other noted restaurants closing surfaced over the last week or so, including Nickiemotos and Vickerys in Midtown, Il Mulino downtown and Dynamic Dish on Edgewood.

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Pita Pit Opens in Decatur, GA; Featured in Decatur Metro

The Pita Pit in Decatur opened today, December 2, 2010 and was featured on the Decatur Metro, local site for community news. Long time Pita fan, Derek Kellermann and Hose Divani, after two years of looking for the perfect location opened the Pita Pit in Decatur to bring healthy options to an area that is physically active and health conscious. In addition, Decatur provided the perfect location close to Emory University and Agnes Scott College to offer affordable food choices all day long. The Pita Pit will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. is delivering throughout the area to reach both campuses and residential neighborhoods. Below is a portion of the article and it can be read in its entirety by clicking here.

More Sandwich/Pita News

So I know people have been worrying/asking about Jimmy John’s and the announced plan to open in the old Tastings space at 330 West Ponce. I’m still waiting on further details, but sources say that the plan is still “a go” and the sandwich shop will most likely open early next year. More details once we have them!

Also, as we announced earlier this week, Pita Pit opens today. This morning I received some additional background info on Decatur’s newest pita place…

The development is led by local entrepreneurs Hose Divani and Derek Kellermann, who noticed the healthy aspects of the Decatur markets were largely missing a healthy late night food options and ultimately led to the decision to open the Pita Pit in Downtown Decatur.

Finding two schools in relatively close proximity to one of the most physically active towns in the Atlanta metropolis, Derek Kellermann and Hose Divani finally settled on a location after nearly two years of searching for the perfect spot. Derek, a long time fan of the Pita Pit first creating the relationship in college in Manhattan, Kansas was always looking for fresh, healthy, quick and most of all affordable food choices that were appealing to those who were both physically active and those looking for a healthy fast food option. As they were both looking for a new business venture, Derek instantly began persuading Hose to pursue the Pita Pit concept, bringing a healthy, fast and fresh eating concept to Atlanta and searching for a college campus that would love the pita concept.

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Pita Pit franchisee featured in Union-Bulletin

Pita Pit’s Walla Walla franchisee, Chad Walder, was recently featured in the Union-Bulletin discussing his new business venture in addition to opening the Pita Pit. Walder, who grew up in Walla Walla, is a multi-faceted entrepreneur and introduced the Pita Pit to his local community. Walder felt that a healthy, fresh concept like Pita Pit would be a great addition to Walla Walla. Now Walder has partnered to open a Marcy’s directly next to the Pita Pit. Pita Pit, with over 180 locations throughout the U.S. is continuing to strengthen its presence in college towns and cities throughout the country. Below you can find a portion of the story and can find the full story here.

Chad Walder Credits Pita Pit as Stepping Stone to Entrepreneurial Glory

A long-ago gas station has become a new spot for spirits in a blend of old and new on downtown's Colville Street.

In the reframed walls of what was formerly Luscious by Nature, black-and-white framed photos pay tribute to the old Union 76 service station started at that corner by J. Milo Marcy. Now instead of air compressors, the sound coming from the building is more likely to be clinking ice cubes rumbling in a shaker.

The station pumps from the 1930s-era building were removed years ago, and the building over the years had been home to numerous other businesses, the tribute to the old "Marcy's" is an homage to the corner's roots. And the theme couldn't be more appropriate considering the homecoming of sorts of Marcy's co-owner Chad Waldher.

An entrepreneur who opened the neighboring Pita Pit about a year ago, Waldher grew up in Walla Walla until he was 15.

His family moved away. He spent the next 15 years on the west side of the state. When the opportunity arose to open his own Pita Pit franchise, Waldher had two choices: open in the Seattle area or start a new one in Walla Walla.

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