Pita Pit USA, the Coeur d’Alene-based chain that now includes more than 240 restaurants throughout the U.S, has recognized Erik Morris, of Coeur d’Alene, as its franchisee of the year. 

Morris, who received the honor at Pita Pit’s annual national conference held in Coeur d’Alene in June, says the award recognizes his accomplishments through the 12 years he has operated Pita Pits in the Spokane and Pullman areas.

A spokesman for the chain said in an email that Morris not only saw growth at his individual stores, but also” set trends and best practices for the entire system to follow.”

Morris is the owner of Erik Morris Inc., which operates a Pita Pit outlet at 818 E. Sharp, in the University District. 

Together with Jonathan Wynn, he also co-owns Pita Prestige Worldwide LLC and East Side Pitas LLC, which operates outlets at 2916 S. Regal, on the South Hill, and at 6010 N.E. Colorado, in Pullman, respectively. 

Although Wynn wasn’t officially recognized in the award, Morris says Wynn does much of the work and was instrumental in the businesses’ expansion. 

Wynn worked as general manager of Morris’ original Pita Pit on Sharp and wanted to launch a second location with Morris, he says.

Morris opened that first restaurant in 2006, and Wynn and Morris opened the South Hill outlet in 2013. 

The pair purchased the Pullman restaurant in July 2016 from a franchisee headquarted in Boise.

Morris declines to disclose annual revenues but said the restaurants have had a slight increase in sales during the past year. As of Aug. 23, the restaurants employed about 35 people in all—20 full time and 15 part time—but that number can vary depending on the time of year, he says.