Fast Casual Franchise Founder Nour Rabai Gives Predictions on Trends and How His Company Will Respond
(PRESS RELEASE) Restaurant industry expert Nour Rabai, founder and CEO of PITA Mediterranean Street Food, has created a prosperous franchise model that continues to grow. Since 2016, he has continuously monitored the market for trends, and in these post-pandemic months, has carefully developed a successful franchising strategy for the future.
“Coming out of the pandemic, we saw a much slower transition into franchising from prospective franchisees,” says Rabai. “Now, we see current franchisees getting more involved in purchasing other locations, and they have a general interest in growing as multi-unit franchisees within our brand.”
Rabai and his team seek out a certain type of franchisee. “The most important quality that we look for in a prospective franchisee is one that wants to be both owner and operator. Owner/operators in our current franchise model are the most successful in the company.” Rabai goes on to say that PITA puts a heavy focus on owner/operators for prospective franchisee opportunities and then single-unit owners for new and upcoming franchisees.
Rabai and his team adapted their franchise program to fit the current customer climate, and technology plays a big part. PITA’s team heavily guided its consumer base to use technology to order. He notes that PITA’s new POS system that was developed during the pandemic has been a lifesaver. With everything coming into one system, there is a 99% success rate that the order will be processed, which in turn reflects positively on the franchise.
Rabai has advice for anyone wanting to expand. “Do your due diligence on every operator coming on board. Having a successful partnership with a franchisee will drive your success as a concept,” he says. “With a little strategic planning and taking the time to seek out good owner/operators, there will be a better success rate when you open new locations,” Rabai adds.
About PITA Mediterranean Street Food
A favorite for fresh, made-to-order Mediterranean cuisine, PITA Mediterranean Street Food serves delicious and affordable dishes including traditional and chicken gyros, street pitas, mezza spread, rice bowls, salads and dessert. The Georgia-based fast casual chain has locations throughout the Southeast and is growing into the Midwest. QSR magazine has named PITA to its 40/40 List of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals for 2020, ezCater named PITA among the Best for Mediterranean Catering in its list of Top Atlanta Caterers for 2020, Atlanta Business Chronicle included PITA on its 2020 Pacesetter list that features the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the metro area, and Fast Casual named PITA to its Top 100 Movers & Shakers in 2020 and 2021. For more information, visit www.PitaStreetFood.com.
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Gretchen Howard
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