Pita Pit Bringing Healthy Fast Food Alternative to Seattle

When he opened the very first Pita Pit in Kingston, Ontario, Nelson Lang could never have imagined the rapid growth his concept for a fresh, customizable and healthy meal would experience in the two decades to come.

Since its inception in 1995, Pita Pit has strived to be the healthier and tastier alternative to traditional fast food. The brand’s fresh, made-to-order pita sandwiches feature a variety of lean grilled meats, fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese and zesty sauces all rolled up into a unique and convenient package. This, Lang believed, would help fuel the brand’s rapid growth.

He was right. Today, Pita Pit is consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing franchises. And at more than 600 locations across the globe, they have the numbers to back it up. Now, as the brand aims to continue its expansion, Bill Wilfong, Pita Pit’s vice president of franchise development, says they’re targeting an important untapped market: Seattle.

“The fresh and healthy concept has become increasingly popular, and it’s clear the trend is here to stay. Our growth over the last year is evidence that consumers want healthier and more personalized options. Pita Pit is at the forefront of that trend, and we’re prepared to meet the increasing demand by reaching a new territory in the Northwest,” Wilfong said.

According to Wilfong, there’s room for nearly 20 to 30 stores. Pita Pit’s tactic for Seattle is to attack from the outside in. With locations currently in Olympia, Moses Lake (which is on the way to Seattle) and Quincy, the brand is looking to open its first store in Gig Harbor and another two in Bellingham.

“We’re coming into Seattle from all sides and all angles. This increases brand saturation—giving us a bigger web of stores in the area and better overall brand awareness,” Wilfong added.

Because Seattle’s population generally craves healthier foods, Wilfong believes that the brand will align extremely well with the city’s culture. And thanks to Seattle’s diversity—and a strong familiarity of Mediterranean-inspired foods—Pita Pit will be a much-welcomed addition in the city.

But Pita Pit’s appeal goes far beyond its food—it’s a sound investment option, too. The initial franchise fee for one unit is only $25,000, and the typical initial investment required ranges from $166,097 to $322,667, plus sufficient working capital for the first three months (from $25,050 to $30,900).

“The world’s push toward healthier alternatives to fast food continues to be a major driver for the brand,” Wilfong said. “That, along with our strong investment opportunity, are why we continue to have success, and we believe that’ll carry the brand far in Seattle.”