Simple, Healthy Model Gives Pita Pit More Real Estate Flexibility Than Traditional Quick Service Restaurants

The list of ways Pita Pit stands out in the booming quick service restaurant industry is endless. In a field crowded with traditional, unhealthy fast food options, the brand has emerged as a leading provider of both healthier and tastier alternatives. But its menu isn’t the only distinguisher—Pita Pit’s model also lends itself to an unmatched level of flexibility when it comes to real estate.

The brand’s concept has proven to be successful in a variety of locations, from 600 to 2,300 square foot spaces. That’s because its fresh, made-to-order pita sandwiches don’t require fryers or even ovens, freeing up space that its competitors can’t survive without.

“Over the years, we’ve found that more square footage doesn’t necessarily equal more sales,” said Bill Wilfong, Pita Pit’s vice president of franchise development. “Pita Pit does the majority of its business between the hours of 11:00 am and 2 pm, so the lunchtime demographics of its locations matters way more than how much space a specific site provides.”

Pita Pit’s ability to thrive in different-sized locations doesn’t take away from its real estate selection standards. The brand holds the bar incredibly high when it comes to finding the right location—Pita Pit searches for spaces where there are highly populated offices within a quarter or half mile of its doors before ever signing a lease. The brand also targets areas where it knows consumers need healthy alternatives to typical lunch-focused restaurants.

“Our site selection process is all about visibility. When we have a prime piece of real estate that gets a lot of foot traffic, we know we’re going to do well,” said Wilfong. “Our quality, healthy products are already extremely attractive to consumers, so our goal is to simply make it as easy and convenient for them to access as possible.”

Pita Pit’s model is also simple for franchisees. The cost of opening a new store is extremely affordable—initial investments range from $166,097 and $322,667. The brand then provides its franchisees with all the support necessary to run a successful business, from marketing efforts to staff training programs.

Beyond its traditional stores, Pita Pit also actively develops locations with drive thrus. The brand currently has a dozen drive thru units that are already up and running, but has plans in place to open more down the line, particularly in areas where parking can be an issue.

“Drive thrus help us tap into a new group of customers. We don’t want to limit ourselves by only being accessible to hard working Americans in the middle of the day,” said Wilfong. “We’re excited to continue developing this concept which will ultimately allow us to bring the Pita Pit brand to new communities across the country.”

To learn more about franchising opportunities with Pita Pit, click here.