Mehdi Zarhloul is owner of Crazy Pita Restaurant Group, which recently opened two new locations in Las Vegas — one at Town Square and one in Downtown Summerlin.
What is the best business advice you’ve received?
The best advice I hear from many successful entrepreneurs is to be consistent. Our success is directly driven by our consistent, quality products and outstanding service. Take McDonald’s, for example: The same burger served 60 years ago is exactly the same burger served today. Starbucks is another perfect example; people pay higher prices for coffee because of the consistent flavor and convenience. At Crazy Pita, we have managed to deliver the same delicious food and excellent customer service for the past nine years.
What has the American dream meant for you?
My American dream is simple: to live my life doing the things I love and to live happy and comfortably without any worries. I’m thankful and grateful I live in a country where I can make these dreams happen. I learned early on after coming to America that you can make anything happen here and you can accomplish any goal by working hard and smart. The greater the risk you take, the greater the rewards. America offers many opportunities. If you want the silver platter, you have to go get it; it will never come to you.
What has been your most exciting professional project to date?
Galileo said you must have three points to create a pattern. That’s exactly what we’ve done with the Crazy Pita concept. After opening our third location in Downtown Summerlin, we officially can say we have given birth to a fresh, casual Mediterranean chain that has the potential to grow beyond Nevada and can be duplicated easily. That’s an accomplishment I am particularly proud of.
What is your most popular dish?
Our grilled chicken skewer plate has been the most popular dish since we opened at the District. It’s fresh, marinated chicken with hummus, chopped tomato and cucumber salad served on a bed of hot couscous with butternut squash, zucchini and pita bread.
Describe your management style.
My management style has always been the same: Deliver the best service with the minimum steps possible. I keep it as simple as possible so my managers and supervisors can follow my lead. But this style can only be executed with a great team of people working under me. Our staff is our company’s greatest asset. We treat each other with kindness and respect, taking care of each other’s needs and wants.
If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?
When you are content standing on green grass, there is no need to look anywhere else. Henderson has been good to me since the day I moved here. It’s my city and my home; I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Whom do you admire?
I admire my wife, Taraneh, who has supported me in everything during our 10 years of marriage. She is my motivation and my inspiration to continue with my mission. She stood by me when we started our business in 2006, which also happened to be the worst economic times in Las Vegas. My success is directly related to her.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who think their opinion always is the correct one, and those who judge you based on your ethnic background. I surround myself with positive people as much as I can — people who do good and make a difference every day. My good friend Drew Stevens always said during his speeches promoting kindness in our local schools: “Do something people can write about or write about something people can read.”
Where do you go for business lunches?
I usually stay close to our Crazy Pita restaurants. When I’m at Town Square, I frequently dine at Pot Liquor; it has amazing sandwiches, and I like the ribs. At the District, GVR is a great place for a business lunch; I love the lobster fettuccine. When I’m at Downtown Summerlin, Wolfgang Puck is usual my go-to place.
What is something people might not know about you?
I take yoga and Pilates classes three to four times a week. It’s my zone-out time.
Anything else you want to tell us?
Please join and support our kindness movement: joshstevensfoundation.org.