In this episode of The Pineapple Perspective, Troy Hooper welcomes Mehdi Zarhloul, founder of Crazy Pita, to discuss the evolution of hospitality, business resilience, and brand-building in the restaurant industry. From humble beginnings as a teenage immigrant to becoming a multi-concept restaurant operator and franchisee, Mehdi shares his journey, philosophy, and the values that guide his team. He emphasizes kindness, sincerity, and consistency in customer service while integrating technology to streamline operations.

The conversation covers overcoming COVID-19 challenges, expanding into Walmart locations with micro-concepts, and embracing social media as a personal and professional branding tool. With humor and candor, Mehdi illustrates how community engagement and strong systems can fuel sustainable growth in a tough market.

Topics Discussed in the Episode

• The foundational role of sincerity and kindness in hospitality

• Mehdi's journey from Casablanca to launching Crazy Pita in Las Vegas

• Navigating operational challenges during COVID-19 and adapting through technology

• Expanding through Walmart micro-concepts and launching new virtual brands

• Leveraging social media and personal branding for business growth

Connect with Mehdi Zarhloul:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehdi-zarhloul-39625916

https://www.instagram.com/mehdi.zarhloul/

www.crazypita.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/crazypita/

https://www.instagram.com/eatcrazypita/

https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.pita

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crazy-Pita/45151338236

www.thechickengenius.com

https://www.tiktok.com/@chicken.genius/

https://www.instagram.com/Chickengeniss/

www.thesaladmadness.com

https://www.instagram.com/salad.madness/

https://www.tiktok.com/@salad.madness/

This show is sponsored by Pepper Lunch. Find a location near you!

Production and Administration work completed by Smart Podcast Solutions and Elevate Virtual Business Solutions.