Donato's Pizzeria - Franchise

Why Donatos Pizza Franchising?
So you can introduce A New Brand With Confidence

Donatos started as a family owned chain in 1963 then grew with select Franchise Partners. As a result of our excellent reputation, systems and performance, we were acquired by McDonalds in 1999. The founding family reacquired Donatos from McDonalds in 2003. Since then, we have vastly improved our performance and results and prepared the Donatos brand to expand across the nation.

Every entrepreneur seeks to bring the next best idea to their market. Donatos provides you the opportunity to introduce a new brand and product with confidence knowing our years of experience and success support your local efforts.

Why Donatos?

• The same brand, product, systems and knowledge in which McDonalds invested
• A menu that delivers on today's demand for consistency, quality, convenience and freshness
• Best on the Block marketing strategies based upon in-depth customer knowledge
• Fast Casual restaurant model incorporating 5 Market Access Strategies
• Franchised and company restaurants whose results outpace the pizza industry
• Highly committed franchise support

The Donatos Pizza Franchising Story: Where It All Began

When Jim Grote founded Donatos in 1963, he did it with a mere $1,300 in his pocket and a straightforward philosophy. His philosophy was simple and powerfully successful-- "To make the best pizza and treat others the way I would like to be treated." In addition to this, Grote built Donatos on three fundamental ideas - creating a superior product, hiring great people and adhering to strong principles that promote goodwill in business and the community.

Today, Donatos has over 150 restuarants in six states and is growing the business quickly. Over the past half-century, Donatos has proven success in the vast $30 billion pizza industry with an outstanding product leading the way.

Launch & Support With Donatos Pizza Franchising

For many years we have operated more than 50 high performing restaurants that dominate the Columbus, OH market with a 35% market share. We know a thing or two about opening, growing and sustaining a strong business over a generation. We packaged our experience and expertise into programs designed to assist you before, during and after the Grand Opening of your first restaurant.

REAL ESTATE SELECTION:
Best on the Block marketing strategy begins by selecting the Best Block. Our network of restaurants manages over 15 million transactions per year so we know a lot about our customers and where to find them. Our market and site selection software uses our customer information to help you select the Best Block.

TRAINING:
The training programs and expertise we use with the over 1,900 company associates who operate high performing restaurants is available to you and your staff including custom designed curriculums for owners, general managers, assistant general managers and managers in training. We also provide an on-going, online training curriculum for restaurant associates.

SUPPORT:
Each franchise partner’s point of contact is a Franchise Business Consultant with years of experience working with our brand. Together, Franchise Partner and Business Consultant plan the launch and development of your restaurants from Grand Opening to budgeting/planning and profitability management. Our Field Marketing Managers provide planning, promotions, materials and strategies to keep your customers coming back. And our Promise Fulfillment Experts ensure your staff delivers the consistently high quality product for which Donatos is known: Same Pie, Anytime, Anywhere.

HIGHLY COMMITTED FRANCHISE SUPPORT:
"The reason my partner and I chose to franchise Donatos was the outstanding quality of their products, dedication to support us as a Franchise Partner, and having the same family values that we do. Donatos support team is fantastic! I have never worked with a group of individuals who had the same goals for their Franchise Partners as Donatos does. We are truly regarded as 'Partners' and not just another franchisee, and with that, we are treated with respect and always have a voice."
– David Dierberger, Great Works, Franchise Partner in Virginia Beach, VA

Could You Be The Right Fit To Franchise Donatos Pizza?

We are a network with a Mission: To promote goodwill through our product, service, principles and people. And a network with a Promise: To serve the best pizza and make your day a little better. We seek individuals whose aspirations to succeed in business combine with the commitment to treat customers and associates with the highest ethical standards while operating restaurants that are assets to the community in which they are located.

As we expand into new markets, we expect franchise partners to develop a minimum of three restaurants in a geographic area and over a period of time to which we will mutually agree. As a result, Franchise Partner candidates will have senior or executive management experience including P&L management and a solid commitment to local store marketing.