Windy City Workforce

This department spotlights a relatively recent addition to the workforce, focusing on the person’s educational or working background, daily responsibilities, challenges, passions, frustrations and outlook for his or her future in the field.

Name: Medhat “Mudd” Sbeih
Age: 28
Company: The Pita Pit — Lincoln Park
2404 N. Lincoln Ave.
Title: Co-owner
College Path: University of Illinois at Chicago

How you ended up here: Zaid, my brother, and I were looking for a new business venture. We desired a business where we could provide a great food, great service and a great atmosphere. We worked directly with Nelson Lang, the Pita Pit founder.

How long you’ve been at it: Officially: Two months. Unofficially, six months working for free, learning the business and training.

Who you answer to, if anyone: Of course we answer to the customers, the Pita Pit head office and ourselves. Zaid and I don’t have time to argue, so it’s been great so far. When I get there, he leaves, so there’s no time to boss each other around!

Hours you expect to be at work: Zaid, on the day shift, is there from 11 a.m. until 6 or 8 p.m. Mudd, on the night shift, from 6 p.m. until midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Breakdown of what people anticipate from you: People anticipate a great pita served in a fun atmosphere. We are always happy to joke around and serve with a smile.

What your friends assume you do all day: Ha ha, that’s a good one. Friends? Who has time for friends? Since taking over, our concentration is work, work, work. Our social lives have suffered, but we’re still having fun. We’ll slow down soon and get back in touch with our friends.

We took a chance because we wanted... a business that provides healthy food with great service and a fun atmosphere. The Pita Pit is a fast-growing franchise, and the model is perfect. We provide great food, and have fun doin’ it!

Best perk: Besides an unlimited supply of pitas, Lincoln Park is a great perk. We’re very happy to be part of the community and love our customer base. DePaul University and Children’s Memorial Hospital are both across the street, and it’s a pleasure to serve both. It’s a great area to be in and makes working the night shift all the more fun!

Is eating healthy a fad or do you think it’s a trend that’s here to stay? Healthier food is definitely here to stay. Since we took over in September, I’ve lost 13 pounds! And I’m not a big guy, so that’s a real true testament. The Pita Pit’s motto is “Fresh thinking, healthy eating.” All of our pitas are 550 calories or less and provide 25-35 grams of protein, all with less than 60 grams of carbs. The perfect “post-workout meal.”

I have trouble dealing with… the “bar rush” crowd after a long, hard day. I can usually appreciate the fun people are having, but it’s the cleanup and the breaking up of fights that makes me want to pita smack someone. Cleaning puke at 4 a.m. isn’t exactly how I like to finish a 10-hour shift.

I know it’s a good day when... I get to spend a little time away from the restaurant. I’m a newlywed, and unfortunately I haven’t had the time to spend with my wife … so she works with me! So far we haven’t gotten into a pita fight!

Why you have a smile when you come to work: Recharged and rejuvenated, it’s exciting to come to work at your own place. Work is no longer a chore.

What’s the key to making it big in the food industry? Work, work, work. It’s a tough and demanding industry that has many rewards if you put your time in. You meet great people, have fun along the way and never go hungry.

If you could make one pita for a new customer, what would it be? For the vegetarians: The falafel with hummus is a fan favorite, add feta cheese and tzatziki sauce and a touch of our “secret sauce” and wow, watch out now! For the meat lovers: The Dagwood — roast beef, turkey and ham all chopped on the grill and served with your choice of fresh toppings. Come hungry, it’s a monster! Or if you’re a certain Chicago Cubs pitcher, you always swing by to get the chicken breast with double meat on wheat.

What might you change if given the chance? Not a thing! We sometimes change the music to cater to the crowd — there’s nothing like some old-school Michael Jackson to get the bar rushers dancing!

Where can you go from here? Future locations! We promise to not be the only Pita Pit in Chicago for long!

Advice for joining the field: Always be ready for more work. If you have time to stand around, you have time to clean. The challenges are typically scheduling hard-working, trustworthy people. Get those pieces of the puzzle together, and the rest will fall into place. Other than that, plan your work, and work your plan, and you’ll make it through just fine.

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