Meet Roger Samawi of HB Pita Grill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Roger Samawi.

Hi Roger , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my restaurant business because I wanted to build something of my own and create a business that could support my family. I’ve always enjoyed food, hospitality, and bringing people together, so starting a restaurant felt like a natural fit.

What started as an idea turned into a family business that I’ve now been running for over 15 years. It hasn’t always been easy, but through hard work, challenges, and a lot of learning along the way, I’ve been able to grow the business and build strong relationships with our customers and community. Today, the restaurant is a huge part of my life, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Running a restaurant comes with a lot of challenges, from staffing and managing a team to keeping up with rising costs and the everyday demands of the business. There have been plenty of long days, stressful moments, and times when I questioned whether it was all worth it.

One of the biggest struggles has been finding and keeping good employees and building a strong management team. That can make it difficult to step away from the business or think about expanding. But every challenge has taught me something and made me a better business owner. Through all the ups and downs, I’ve continued to push forward, learn, and find ways to improve. Looking back, I’m proud that we’ve been able to keep the business going and growing.

We’ve been impressed with HB Pita Grill, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our restaurant is a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant that has been serving our community for more than 15 years. We specialize in fresh, flavorful Mediterranean food made with quality ingredients and recipes that are inspired by the food we grew up loving.

What sets us apart is that we truly care about the food and the people we serve. We want our customers to feel like they’re getting a homemade meal and being welcomed into our family, not just stopping by a restaurant. We’ve built our business through consistency, personal service, and strong relationships with our customers.

I’m most proud of the reputation and community we’ve built over the years. We’ve had customers who started coming to us when they were younger and now bring their own families, which means so much to us.

Our goal has always been to provide delicious, fresh Mediterranean food in a warm, welcoming environment while continuing to grow without losing the personal touch that made us who we are. we’re proud of what we’ve built and excited about what the future holds for our brand.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned over more than 15 years is that consistency, genuine care, and meaningful relationships matter just as much as the food we serve. Our community has shown us that people remember not only what they eat, but also how they feel when they walk through our doors. Every familiar face, shared conversation, and returning family has become part of our story.

By staying true to our family values, maintaining high standards, and welcoming every guest with warmth and respect, we’ve earned the trust of generations of customers. Many of the relationships we’ve built feel less like business connections and more like friendships with people who have grown alongside us. Growth will always be part of our journey, but we never want it to come at the expense of the personal touch, heartfelt hospitality, and sense of community that made our business special in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hbpitagrill.com/
• Instagram: @hbpitagrill
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HbPitaGrill?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Yelp: H.B. Pita Grill