Pita Pit plans to double up

KINGSTON, ON—Ontario-based franchise Pita Pit saw its most openings to date in 2013 and is poised to beat that number this year.

The Kingston, ON chain opened 34 Canadian units in 2013. “This year is going to be our busiest year ever in Pita Pit’s history for Canada,” Kevin Pressburger, vice-president of franchise development, told ARN. “We’re on track to open at least 40.”

Founded in 1995 by Nelson Lang and John Sotiriadis, there are about 200 Canadian units, with locations in nine provinces. Longer term goals include plans to have a total of 400 in Canada by the end of 2018. 

The executive team at the 2013 shooting of the Pita Pit Be the Boss episode. From left: Kevin Pressburger, vice-president of franchise development, Chris Fountain, CEO, Nelson Lang, founder, Braden Martyniuk, vice-president of operations.

“We did a complete brand refresher over the last 36 months and all of our stores are getting full renovation programs. We’re just finishing the tail end of that in terms of retrofitting existing stores which have been around since ’98 and are just getting a facelift now,” Pressburger said. “That look was designed to better connect with adults, professionals and families.”

When the first location opened near Queen’s University, there was a collegiate feel and while the brand still does well with the college and after-bar crowds, Pita Pit—as well as the clientele it started with—has grown up and have families, he noted.

New and renovated locations feature a softer colour palette, wood floors and what Pressburger described as a “more comfortable, warmer look.”

Franchises are about 1,200 square feet with 16 to 18 seats. The average check is about $10.

The brand—with 60 per cent of its locations in Ontario—has been in the Maritime and Western provinces for more than a decade.

“We’ve had huge growth in the Maritimes,” said Pressburger, who attributes recent growth to the new look.

He said the brand is becoming better known in Atlantic Canada, with about six new locations slated to open there in the next 12 to 18 months. Pressburger said a request to open in Newfoundland and Labrador, the only province currently without a Pita Pit, is being considered.

The chain introduced smoothies in 2009 to complement its lineup of pita sandwiches and another vegetarian option (spicy black bean) last year.  

“There has been competition from every concept; every concept has taken a look at their menu mix,” said Pressburger, adding fast, healthy options are becoming more available across the board. “The space has become much more competitive.”

He said 40 stores annually is the pace the company wants to maintain to reach its 2018 goal of 400 stores and becoming well represented coast to coast. Pita Pit has opened between 20 and 22 in Canada per year on average in the past, said Pressburger.

“When it comes to growth, for us, having the appropriate capital is only one part of the equation,” said Pressburger, adding it is most important to share the company's values.

“If you grow too quickly, people don’t get the proper support and it's just growth for the sake of growth. We’re trying to grow properly with the right people,” he said.

Pita Pit first opened overseas in New Zealand in 2007 and now has almost 60 locations there. Last year, it opened 32 international locations and has franchises in the U.S., Panama, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, India, United Kingdom, France and South Korea.

Comments

1 comments

amber

hi kevin, I am tracy webb's friend from highschool. congrats to you and your colleagues on the success of Pita Pit.