After opening 100 stores in seven years, you can add "popular and successful" when describing the menu that features fast-food style meals that are healthier than the standard burger and fries.

There are currently five Extreme Pita restaurants in Mississauga, including the 100th franchise, which opened recently at Eglinton Ave. and Winston Churchill Blvd.

Robin Agnihotri, owner of the newest location, said he and his wife purchased the franchise in November of 2003 and officially opened for business four months ago.

"It was a lot of work, and I continue to put in 12 hours each day of the week," said Agnihotri. "But we went with this idea because it was either working for someone else for the rest of our lives or doing something on our own."

They opted for an Extreme Pita franchise because, Agnihotri said, "people don't realize the health aspects of a pita."

Nutrition information for Extreme Pita and McDonald's Restaurant shows the Extreme Club Pita, a popular menu item, has one-quarter of the fat and about two-thirds the calories of a McDonald's Big Mac. Compared to a Burger King Original Whopper Sandwich, the Extreme Club Pita has one-fifth the fat and three-fifths the calories.

But McDonald's and Burger King do offer menu choices that are lower in fat, calories and carbs.

Peel Health's registered dietitian, Eva Loewenberger, said Extreme Pitas are a healthy fast food choice.

"Lower in fat is a good choice," said Loewenberger. "And the more vegetables you get in your diet means more fibre, which is even better. Carbs are in your body to give you energy."

Extreme Pita offers 14 pitas with five grams of fat or less. Pitas range in price from $3.49 to $6.29.

Agnihotri also likes the fact the ingredients don't include processed cheese and meats. And Extreme Pita franchises also take care of vegetarians. A portion of the grill and utensils are kept separate for preparing vegetarian choices.

"Once customers discover the Extreme Pita, they're hooked. Our franchise is next door to a condominium and many of the residents come in everyday. They're addicted," Agnihotri said.

Other Extreme Pita restaurants in Mississauga are located at Clarkson Crossing on Southdown Rd., in the Heartland Centre at Mavis Rd. and Britannia Rd., in the Meadowvale North Business Park on Financial Dr., and in the Meadowvale Town Centre at Winston Churchhill and Battleford Road.

For more information on the Extreme Pita franchise Opportunity Click Here