Case Studies
Case Study: Pita Gourmet
Growing a Local Favorite Into a Regional Fast-Casual Powerhouse
Industry
Fast-Casual Restaurant (Mediterranean-American)
Founded
2005 by brothers Joe and Mark Mahfouz
Locations
East Amherst, Williamsville, Niagara Falls Fashion Outlet Mall, Amherst, Orchard Park, Hamburg
Average Order Value
$13 per person
Customer Base
62% lunch / 38% dinner
Target Audiences
Corporate employees within 2–3 miles of each location (lunch crowd)
Moms 25–45, dual-income households, health-conscious families
Evening moviegoers and neighborhood diners
Services Provided
Brand Strategy, Website, Social Media, Loyalty Program, Influencer Marketing, Advertising, Reputation Management, Photography & Videography, Direct Mail
The Challenge:
- Pita Gourmet’s reputation was strong, but its marketing presence was inconsistent across locations and platforms.
- Social handles and content lacked cohesion, limiting growth on Instagram and Twitter.
- Reviews were not being managed consistently, with no formal process for responding to negative feedback.
- Each location used different POS systems, making loyalty programs and gift cards difficult to manage.
- Hiring was becoming increasingly competitive, requiring stronger employment branding to attract and retain staff.
The brand had a strong foundation — locally owned, highly rated, and family operated — but it needed a unified marketing strategy to keep scaling.
ThreeSixty’s Solution
ThreeSixty partnered with Pita Gourmet to build a brand that was as bold and fun as its food. We created a scalable marketing playbook that included both digital and in-store tactics to fuel awareness and customer loyalty.
Key initiatives included:
Brand Cohesion
Unified social handles, visuals, and brand voice across all platforms.
Social Media Management
Built a fun, pun-filled, meme-driven personality with engaging content such as #ProtectThePita, “punny” holiday posts, contests, and ingredient spotlights.
Social Media Advertising
Targeted ads by audience segment — moms, office workers, moviegoers, and new neighborhoods — to drive foot traffic and online ordering.
Reputation Management
Developed a process to encourage reviews, respond to feedback, and highlight positive customer experiences.
Photography & Videography
Produced high-quality content for social, website, and in-store TVs.
Direct Mail Campaigns
Reached households near new and existing locations to boost awareness and launch-day momentum.
Website Redesign
Improved ease-of-use for browsing the menu, placing online orders, and booking catering.
Influencer Marketing
Partnered with local food influencers to expand reach and build trust in new markets.
Employment Branding
Launched “Pita University” to showcase the brand’s extensive employee training program and position Pita Gourmet as a great place to work.
The Experience
ThreeSixty became an extension of Pita Gourmet’s family-driven team, making sure every new restaurant launch came with excitement, consistency, and momentum.
“With ThreeSixty, each new opening feels less overwhelming. Their process ensures our locations launch with momentum — and we can focus on delivering great food and service.”
Pita Gourmet Owner
The Results
- Social Media Growth: Facebook +318%, Instagram +880%, Twitter +129%
- Reputation Growth: Google reviews up 360%, with a 4.52 average rating
- Website Growth: Monthly active users up 715%
- Business Growth: Expanded from 3 to 5 thriving locations — with more on the way
The Future
Pita Gourmet has transformed from a single neighborhood restaurant into a regional fast-casual powerhouse. With a consistent, scalable marketing strategy in place, they continue to launch new locations, strengthen their brand presence, and attract both loyal customers and high-quality employees.
Ready to Transform Your Brand?
If your restaurant is ready to expand and needs a marketing partner who can build awareness, drive traffic, and keep customers coming back, ThreeSixty can help you grow with confidence.
