Mr. Pita Charts Course for New Market Expansion

Seeking to expand its successful concept beyond its home state of Michigan, operators of Mr. Pita/Pita Depot restaurants have identified Cleveland as one of four new markets the chain has targeted for growth. The Franchise Restaurant chain plans to open 20 new Pita Depot restaurants there by 2005. Representatives from Pita Depot will visit Cleveland on Wednesday, November 13, to conduct an informational session for prospective franchisees at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton East hotel. Reservations for the meeting may be made by calling Richard Simtob at 866-738-PITA.

The company currently operates 33 locations in Michigan under the Mr. Pita name. Outside the state, its restaurants will carry the Pita Depot nameplate. Columbus, Toledo and Chicago are other markets the chain has identified for growth.

"We have adopted a very systematic approach to expansion, focusing first on the Midwest," said Frank Lombardo, founder and president of the chain. "Our concept has worked very well in Michigan, and the natural progression is for us to expand into neighboring states. Since we are newcomers to the Cleveland area, franchisees there will have the opportunity to select the very best locations the market has to offer." Lombardo said his company typically looks for sites that are free-standing or in strip center locations. However, the chain's versatile format has also proved successful in institutional settings such as hospitals and universities, as well as stadiums, office buildings and regional malls. Stores range in size from 1,600 to 2,500 square feet.

Mr. Pita/Pita Depot offers a wide variety of fresh, high quality rolled pita sandwiches, garden salads and homemade soups, available for dine-in, carry-out and delivery. The chain's focus is on healthy, but tasty fare. Among the menu selections is the Pita UltraLite sandwich which -- with some varieties containing as little as 0.8 fat grams -- is among the healthiest Fast Food sandwiches on the market. Its newest menu item is the baked pita -- an open-faced pita sandwich laden with delicious meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables, then oven baked.

Founded by Lombardo in 1993, Mr. Pita/Pita Depot began Franchising its concept in May 1994. In May 1999, the chain was cited as a "One to Watch" by QSR Magazine, a trade publication covering the quick service industry. Beyond its expansion into the Cleveland marketplace, the company's plans call for opening 85 new stores in Michigan and other new markets by 2005.