Alex Rechichi has been President of Extreme Pita since October 1997. Alex received his Bachelor of Arts (Honours degree) from Queen’s University in 1996.
Alex worked from June 1996 to June 1997 in sales and marketing within the Telecommunications industry and in a sales management position from June 1997 to November 1998 within the industrial supply sector.
Alex has been involved in the fast food restaurant business since 1997, when he formed Extreme Pita. He has been named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 by Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine. In 2008 he was honoured with Caldwell Partners Award of Excellence as Top 40 under 40 in Canada.
Alex has been a director of Extreme Pita since its incorporation.
BeTheBoss - What’s the story behind Extreme Pita?
Alex Rechichi - Extreme Pita is a lifestyle concept that provides healthy great tasting food for active and busy individuals who live life to the fullest (extreme)!
BTB - What made you decide to franchise?
AR - We noticed a lot of interest from the
customer’s who were intrigued by the offering and when noticing
this, we felt it would be best to escalate this through
franchising.
BTB - Tell us a little about the Fast-Casual
Dining Market?
AR - Both concepts are focused on using quality
ingredients to provide a fast-casual culinary experience focused on
delivering freshness and flavor
BTB - What have some of the challenges been in
growing your franchise?
AR - The biggest challenge in the market is
finding franchisees who exhibit the necessary core values to be
successful in our business such as; a positive attitude towards
success, the appropriate attitude towards employees and their
involvement in the business and the correct drive and work
ethic
BTB - Who has been your greatest
inspiration?
AR - Not one person or thing – I am inspired by
successful people but mostly from my Franchisees, many invest their
life savings into our brand and work hard to make it work and do a
great job of representing the brand – that inspires
me.
BTB - What are some of the advantages in being
an Extreme Pita franchisee?
AR - Since 1997, we've become one of the most
unique and rewarding food franchises in North America. We're
growing at the rate of one store per week, and currently have
regions with unlimited growth potential.
BTB - What “Gadgets” (Blackberry, Iphone, Ipod,
etc) can’t you live without?
AR - None of them
BTB - What do you do in your spare time?
AR - Spend time with my family, play hockey and ski.
BTB - What advice do you have for someone
looking to acquire a Franchise?
AR - Ensure your well-financed, thoroughly
research the brand and have an understanding of what the brand
stands for, as well as, the overall success of the unit
franchisees
BTB - In your opinion, why do you think that
Extreme Pita would be a great opportunity for someone?
AR - Extreme Pita continues to be the leading Pita
quality, fast-casual, quick-service restaurant concept across north
America. We continue to offer our customers a freshly
made-to-order, health-inspired menu in a dynamic, g=friendly and
energetic environment owned and operated by profitable franchises.
We're fast, fresh, fun, and full of flavour. Besides all that,
we're EXTREME when it comes to our commitment to
creating a unique product bursting with ingredients that are
healthy. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that??
