Pita Pit franchisee Dave Inlow plans to open Springfield’s third store next month.
The restaurant is scheduled to launch Nov. 7 at Sidewalk Plaza shopping center, 3233 E. Sunshine St., Ste. 112, next to Jimmy John’s.
Inlow and his now ex-wife Penny opened the Queen City’s first Pita Pit in December 2013 in the Fremont Shopping Center at 1318 E. Battlefield Road. They added a second store a year later at 2113 W. Republic Road. Dave Inlow said he owns Springfield’s franchise rights, the Battlefield Road store and the new shop opening on East Sunshine. Penny owns the Republic Road franchise through the divorce proceedings, he said.
Inlow said he’s capitalizing on the development boom on East Sunshine that includes Zaxby’s, Panera Bread, Price Cutter and Braum’s.
“The traffic situation there reminds me of Battlefield Road,” he said, referencing his store near Battlefield Mall.
Through Peylex LLC, Inlow signed a 10-year lease for undisclosed terms at Sidewalk Plaza, owned by Baron Design principal Rita Baron. He said the 2,000-square-foot store would employ 15-20. Ontario, Canada-based Pita Pit has over 550 franchise stores. It’s known for Lebanese-style pita sandwiches.
According to
Springfield Business Journal archives, Dave and Penny Inlow bought the Springfield franchise rights for $25,000 in 2013 and spent about $275,000 in new equipment and renovations on the first store. Startup costs for a store range from $291,900 to $365,150, according to
Pita Pit’s website.
Dave Inlow said Springfield could support up to five Pita Pita stores, but he has no current plans in place for a fourth in the city.
