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Donatos Pizza Ranks Among Top 40 Fast-Casual Chains

By: Donatos Pizza |  2 Shares     283 Reads

June 03, 2016 // Franchising.com // COLUMBUS, Ohio – Donatos Pizza, one of the premier regional pizza chains in the United States, was recently ranked among the Top 40 Fast-Casual Chains in the United States, according to Restaurant Business. They were the only pizza chain to appear in the ranking.

Restaurant Business borrowed data from its research sister, Technomic, to rank the Top 40 Fast-Casual Chains by U.S. systemwide sales, based on results from the 2015 calendar year. Relevant information was accrued using a combination of public company financial filings, direct operator surveying, franchise disclosure documents and proprietery valuation algorithms.

“Donatos has a lot of things going for us, including our insistence on using only the finest, freshest toppings, a price point that offers great value, and the momentum of more and more consumers flocking to fast-casual restaurants,” said Donatos COO Tom Pendrey. “We are thrilled to be included on this prestigious list, and we look forward to future success in 2016 and beyond."

Today, the Columbus chain that began with a single shop in 1963 has more than 150 restaurants in six states, and its products are proudly served in more than 15 entertainment and sports venues.

Late in 2015, Donatos debuted a new look and menu in two stores in Nashville and Columbus. The new prototype – which offers dine-in, takeout and delivery – puts a new spin on the 53-year-old pizza brand with an inviting comfortable design, enhanced service system and an expanded menu that includes local craft beers, as well as a variety of health-conscious options such as vegan, GMO-free, dairy-free and gluten-free pizzas. The new changes have been warmly received by customers and Donatos will continue to validate the enhancements in additional new markets.

“This is something we didn’t have to do. Having a prototype store up and running not only appeals to a broader base of consumers, it also helps recruit franchise partners and persuade older franchise partners to upgrade,” said Jeff Baldwin, Vice President of Development and Franchising for Donatos.

Donatos has been on a bit of a roll in the last 24 months with plans to grow beyond its Midwest core. New stores are expected to open in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky in the coming months.

To augment the company’s growth, Donatos is actively seeking franchise partners with restaurant experience. Including a franchise fee of $30,000, the initial investment to own and operate a Donatos restaurant ranges from $361,000 to $697,000. The average store is about 2,000 square feet and the 2015 average volume nationwide, per store, was $1.058 million, up 5.2% from the previous year. 

For more information about franchise opportunities with Donatos, please visit www.donatospizzafranchise.com.

About Donatos Pizza

Donatos Pizza, founded in 1963 by Jim Grote, is family-owned and operated, and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The creator of Edge to Edge® pizza, Donatos is recognized as one of the premier regional pizza chains in the United States, using only the freshest ingredients and highest food and safety standards to create delicious, quality products. Donatos and its franchise partners operate more than 150 restaurants in six states, and its products are proudly served in more than 15 entertainment and sports venues. For more information on Donatos Pizza, visit www.donatos.com.

SOURCE Donatos Pizza

Media Contact:

Michael Misetic
Managing Partner
(O) 847.239.8171
(M) 773.680.9023

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