Extreme Pita
Encyclopedia
Extreme Pita is a Canadian-based fast-food chain co-founded by brothers Alex Rechichi and Mark Rechichi in 1997. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario
, the company has more than 225 units throughout Canada and the United States
.
Extreme Pita serves pita
sandwiches, salad
s, and pizza-style "flat-baked" pitas. The chain considers these types of products to be relatively healthy compared to traditional fast-food fare. Available ingredients include fresh vegetables, cheeses, meats and vegetarian options such as falafel
and hummus
.
in Waterloo, Ontario
in 1997, but the original location is no longer operating.
Extreme Pita's second franchisee was Sean Black, one of the current Vice Presidents of Extreme Pita. Black helped the company expand into new locations in Canada. The company continued to expand and grow over the years, expanding into new locations in Canada, from 1997 (the year when the first Extreme Pita was opened) to 2003 (when Extreme Pita began to expand into the United States). This continued expansion throughout Canada increased Extreme Pita's recognition as a brand name, and allowed it to challenge already-established fast food companies like Subway
and McDonalds. This growth also provided the company the money to expand and franchise in the United States. By 2007, there were about 200 stores in Canada. Extreme Pita also prides itself on being a healthy low fat snack, and is also well known for its vegetarian options.
The Canadian-based Extreme Pita began to expand to include stores in the United States in 2003, beginning with Arizona. The company has continued to add locations throughout the United States, mainly through franchising
. In many cases, the franchisees were the ones most eager to expand the company and to increase Extreme Pita's brand name recognition. Since 2003, Extreme Pita has expanded into locations in California, New York, Texas, and other parts of the Western, Mideastern, and Northeastern United States.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, the company has more than 225 units throughout Canada and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Extreme Pita serves pita
Pita
Pita or pitta is a round pocket bread widely consumed in many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines. It is prevalent in Greece, the Balkans the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. The "pocket" in pita bread is created by steam, which puffs up the dough...
sandwiches, salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s, and pizza-style "flat-baked" pitas. The chain considers these types of products to be relatively healthy compared to traditional fast-food fare. Available ingredients include fresh vegetables, cheeses, meats and vegetarian options such as falafel
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans. Falafel is usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces...
and hummus
Hummus
Hummus is high in iron and vitamin C and also has significant amounts of folate and vitamin B6. The chickpeas make it a good source of protein and dietary fiber; the tahini consists mostly of sesame seeds, which are an excellent source of the amino acid methionine, complementing the proteins in the...
.
History
Extreme Pita was founded by Alex and Mark Rechichi, two Canadian brothers, in 1997. The two came up with the name in order to distance the company from the pita's Middle Eastern roots and break out of the ethnic niche. As a solution, the name "Extreme Pita" was born, meant to encourage the idea of "extreme" sports and an active lifestyle. The first Extreme Pita opened near Wilfrid Laurier UniversityWilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University is a university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It also has campuses in Brantford, Ontario, Kitchener, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario and a future proposed campus in Milton, Ontario. It is named in honour of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada....
in Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo, Ontario
Waterloo is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is the smallest of the three cities in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is adjacent to the city of Kitchener....
in 1997, but the original location is no longer operating.
Extreme Pita's second franchisee was Sean Black, one of the current Vice Presidents of Extreme Pita. Black helped the company expand into new locations in Canada. The company continued to expand and grow over the years, expanding into new locations in Canada, from 1997 (the year when the first Extreme Pita was opened) to 2003 (when Extreme Pita began to expand into the United States). This continued expansion throughout Canada increased Extreme Pita's recognition as a brand name, and allowed it to challenge already-established fast food companies like Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
and McDonalds. This growth also provided the company the money to expand and franchise in the United States. By 2007, there were about 200 stores in Canada. Extreme Pita also prides itself on being a healthy low fat snack, and is also well known for its vegetarian options.
The Canadian-based Extreme Pita began to expand to include stores in the United States in 2003, beginning with Arizona. The company has continued to add locations throughout the United States, mainly through franchising
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
. In many cases, the franchisees were the ones most eager to expand the company and to increase Extreme Pita's brand name recognition. Since 2003, Extreme Pita has expanded into locations in California, New York, Texas, and other parts of the Western, Mideastern, and Northeastern United States.