COEUR D’ALENE, ID (PRWEB) July 15, 2016
When Nelson Lang opened the doors to the very first Pita Pit location in Kingston, Ontario in 1995 his mission was simple: give customers a healthier, fresher and more customizable alternative to the greasy fast food that made up the majority of the fast casual space at the time. More than 20 years later, the concept has come a long way. In early 2016, Pita Pit reached an important milestone with the opening of its 600th location, and the brand’s trajectory has only grown since. More than 200 franchisees, corporate staff, vendors and partners gathered in Park City, Utah to celebrate those accomplishments and look toward an even brighter future at the brand’s 10th Annual National Conference, held June 20-22, 2016.
The growing Pita Pit family spent three days exploring new ways to collaborate and create even more rewarding customer experiences. That effort centers on the unveiling of a new branding campaign designed to take Pita Pit into overdrive. The campaign’s messaging, set to be unveiled in late August, will reaffirm the principals Pita Pit was founded on: fresh ingredients and incredible flavors wrapped up in a delicious, better-for-you pita.
The three-day conference also served as an opportunity to enhance the brand’s future, as attendees worked together to set goals for the years ahead, implementing a long-term plan to cross the 1,000 unit mark across the globe by the end of 2020.
Three dedicated franchisees were also recognized at the conference for their efforts in accelerating that vision:
Pita Pit Boost of the Year: Lisa Meyers, Franchise Owner in Oak Harbor, Washington
Pita Pit Rookie of the Year: Ted and Catalina Long, Franchise Owner in Kansas City, Missouri
Pita Pit Franchisees of the Year: Christina Dziedzicki and Robert Whitkon, Franchise Owners in Jacksonville Beach, Florida
During an auction at the annual awards banquet, Meyers, following her win, announced that she would donate $3,000 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation in honor of her son, Parker, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness three years ago. During his medical fight, Meyers and her family turned to the Make-a-Wish Foundation to fulfil Parker’s dream of going to Disneyland. Sadly, Parker passed away before the family could make the trip, but with the help of her donation and the entire Pita Pit family, she is helping to ensure that his legacy lives on. As Meyers told her story to the audience that night, she touched the hearts of many in the room. Together, the brand’s franchisees and vendor partners rose to the cause once again, pitching in to raise an additional $20,000, for a total donation of $23,000 to Make-a-Wish.
“Often times we get caught up in the bustle of our busy lives and we don’t stop to think about what’s truly important,” Meyers said. “That night, Pita Pit came together to support a cause that I deeply believe in. It was a very emotional experience for me to see so much empathy and compassion in a single room. It was truly unbelievable to see that commitment and an experience I will never forget.”
With another successful conference now complete, Pita Pit has its sights firmly set on the future. As the brand charges through the second half of 2016, it does so with a renewed sense of energy. After celebrating its 600th global store opening back in February, Pita Pit plans to open 45 new locations by year’s end in at least six new markets.
“We are so humbled to have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Corey Bowman, President of Pita Pit Inc. “That connection has helped Pita Pit flourish in the U.S., and around the world. While we’re proud of the important milestones we’ve reached over the past two decades, there’s still so much more in store for our brand. It’s important to take time to reflect on how far we’ve come, but we’re hungry for more. There’s no doubt that Pita Pit’s fresh approach will yield even bigger things on the road.”
ABOUT PITA PIT USA
Since opening its first restaurant in the U.S. in 1999, Pita Pit Inc. has continued to be one of the fastest-growing fast-casual restaurant franchises in the country. Offering a healthier and tastier alternative to traditional fast food, Pita Pit’s fresh, made-to-order pita sandwiches feature a variety of lean grilled meats, fresh vegetables, flavorful cheeses, and zesty sauces all rolled up in a unique and convenient package. The company was founded in Ontario, Canada in 1995 and Pita Pit Inc. was acquired in 2005 by the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho-based Pita Pit USA. Now boasting more than 600 locations across 11 countries, Pita Pit is recognized as No. 1 in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. Simply put, Pita Pit is Fresh Thinking and Healthy Eating. Learn more at http://www.pitapitusa.com.