Franchising: It Takes Two

Twenty-eight-year-old twin sisters Terra and Tana Walther are prime examples of the old saying “keeping the business in the family.” Their father Jan was born in the family tavern, Walther's Cafe, which he now owns, so the sisters have been immersed in the restaurant business their whole lives. They  followed in their father's footsteps by going into the restaurant industry together right out of college. Terra attended Ashland University where she ran track, eventually transferring to Johnson Whales Culinary School where she received both her chef’s degree and a degree in nutrition. It’s her goal to eventually take over their family tavern, but she also helps out with the family’s two Pita Pit locations. Tana attended Kent State, where she also ran track, but left to pursue life as a Pita Pit franchisee. “While I was on the track team at Kent State, we traveled to all different college campuses, and I was always looking for healthy food options. Pita Pit was in all of the Big 10 towns we traveled to, and we always loved eating there,” Tana said.  “My sister and I looked into other franchises, but none offered the fresh, healthy food that originally got me hooked on Pita Pit, which also had a better franchise agreement." Soon after that, the track-star twins opened their first location in Tana's former college town: Kent, Ohio.  They've experienced immense success with their first location, and four years later, they opened their second store in North Canton, Ohio, this past June. Pita Pit’s concept allowed the twins to bring their passion for a healthy lifestyle to others.  “I hunt and fish, and I used to four-wheel. Track is my biggest hobby, and I like to stay in shape and eat right because health is important to me,” Tana said. Terra and Tana now coach track and field at their local high school, which is within walking distance of their new restaurant. "We were definitely excited to expand from Kent and into North Canton," Tana said. "A lot of friends and family live nearby, and we're glad to be giving them and the rest of the community a fresh, healthy option." As young entrepreneurs, the twins find it important to give back to organizations close to their hearts through their new Pita Pit business. They now donate to many of the Kent State sorority and fraternity philanthropies.  Tana and Terra are paving the way for other young, female entrepreneurs in the franchise industry, and the sisters hope to continue to expand Pita Pit throughout the state in the following years.