Pita Pit is a quick-service restaurant franchise servingpita sandwiches with fresh vegetables, grilled meat and sauces.[2] Worldwide, it has two separate owners. Its franchising rights for the United States and its Territories are owned by Pita Pit USA 4.0, Inc.,[3] headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.[3] The remainder of the franchising rights (for Canada and the rest of the world, excluding the US) are owned byFoodtastic, which is headquartered inKingston, Ontario.[4]
The first shop was opened by Nelson Lang and John Sotiriadis in 1995 nearQueen's University inKingston, Ontario.[5][2] The restaurant was located near the university and aimed at students in the hopes it would be "recession-proof".[6] The store stayed open until late, providing a healthier and fresher late night food option to conventional fast food.[2]
In 1997, Pita Pit started to expand within Canada, and in 1999 they began franchising in theUnited States.[5][2]
The first Pita Pit location outside Canada and the United States opened inAuckland, New Zealand, in August 2007. The business was set up by Chris Henderson, a New Zealander returning from Canada, and Duane Dalton, the husband of netballerTania Dalton.[7][2]
By 2011, Pita Pit had expanded to 350 stores in Canada, the United States, New Zealand,Panama,South Korea andBrazil.[2]
On April 13, 2005, the Pita Pit Brand for the United States and its Territories was sold to Pita Pit USA, Inc., which located its headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.[8] Thereafter, on March 7, 2023, Pita Pit USA 4.0, Inc., acquired the assets of Pita Pit USA, Inc., and became the owner of the Brand in the United States and its Territories.[3] Pita Pit USA 4.0, Inc.’s headquarters is in the same location,Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, location as its predecessor Pita Pit USA, Inc.[9]
On August 3, 2021, the Québécois restaurant franchiser Foodtastic had acquired the Pita Pit Brand for Canada and the rest of the world (except for in the US).[10][11]
Pita Pit New Zealand has 85 stores around New Zealand, including 26 in Auckland.[12] This down from about 90 stores in 2020 and more than 100 stores in 2017,[13][14] but still more than the 65 it had in 2014,[15] and 18 it had in 2011.[2]
The business also has nine stores from Australia,[16] down from 14 in 2017.[14]
Pita Pit New Zealand started actively seeking franchises in 2011,[2] and by 2017 the vast majority of stores were franchisees.[14]
The chain introduced adiabetes-friendly menu in 2016,[18] and introduced a fillings limit in 2019.[19] It started to trialvirtual kitchens in 2020, after many of its stores were unable to open during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[20]
