
Donatos
Pizza, subs, salads- 2022 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#180 Ranked #313 last year
- Initial investment
-
$387K - $699K
- Units as of 2021
-
168 5.0% over 3 years
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a Donatos franchise.
Looking to grab a slice of a hot restaurant franchise opportunity? Donatos might be your chance!
Founded in 1963, Donatos is a pizza maker that has stood the test of time and strives to create consistently delicious pizza. There are several company-owned restaurants across the United States, as well as over 100 franchises. Since beginning to franchise in 1991, Donatos has developed a solid base of loyal customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Why You May Want to Start a Donatos Franchise
Donatos prides itself on efficient kitchen layouts created in order to maximize sales. As you are planning your restaurant, you can choose add-on options like patios and drive-through windows to streamline your customer service. In addition, Donatos has a great app that makes placing orders as simple as possible. This creates a more enjoyable, faster experience for your clients.
The Donatos menu is continuously innovated in order to meet clients' trends and tastes, encouraging them to come back for more. You will also receive ongoing training and support from the franchise, providing you with a winning recipe and fresh ingredients for your pizza.
You can serve many clients within the Donatos' customer reach, whether they prefer to dine-in, pick-up, or have their pizza delivered to them. The drive-up window and catering during events are options for customers, as well.
What Might Make Donatos Franchise a Good Choice?
Donatos values franchisees who are invested in their communities. They look for franchisees with strong management skills and a passion for pizza and providing quality service. If you fall in this category, Donatos might be a place for you to set up shop.
To make sure you meet the financial requirements for opening a Donatos franchise, be sure to have a secured net worth and liquid capital on hand. Also, be prepared to make an initial investment that will include a franchise fee and additional startup costs. You should be willing to open multiple restaurant locations from the start as a part of your franchise.
Included in the franchise fee is access to the Donatos systems, technology, operational support, building plans, and your own training. The ongoing fees you will pay are a royalty fee, advertising fee, and a National Marketing Fund contribution, which will usually come out of a small percentage of your net sales.
How Do You Open a Donatos Franchise?
During the process, you will have the opportunity to speak to a Donatos Franchise Development team member and get information to guide you in your business decisions. You will likely attend a program review webinar to brief you on the Donatos franchise opportunity, company culture, market, and finances. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about franchise availability in your area, the number of locations you want to open, and the experiences of other franchisees.
The company will invite you to a discovery day at Donatos' headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. This will let you meet the operations team and get hands-on experience at a local Donatos restaurant. If you qualify, you can sign a franchise development agreement and pay the franchise fee.
After this, voilà! You are an official Donatos franchisee! The only thing you'll have left to do is to plan your grand opening.
Company Overview
About Donatos
- Industry
- Food
- Related Categories
- Pizza, Sandwiches
- Founded
- 1963
- Parent Company
- Donatos Pizzeria LLC
- Leadership
- Tom Krouse, CEO
Franchising Overview
- Franchising Since
- 1991 (31 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 83
- Where seeking
-
This company is seeking new franchisees in the following US states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
- # of Units
- 168 (as of 2021)
Franchisor Information
Information for Franchisees
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a Donatos franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here’s what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $30,000
- Initial Investment
- $386,500 - $698,900
- Net Worth Requirement
- $1,000,000
- Cash Requirement
- $200,000
- Royalty Fee
- 4.5-4%
- Ad Royalty Fee
- to 5%
- Term of Agreement
- 20 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- Third Party Financing
- Donatos has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- On-The-Job Training
- 454 hours
- Classroom Training
- 4 hours
- Ongoing Support
-
Purchasing Co-opsNewsletterMeetings & ConventionsGrand OpeningOnline SupportSecurity & Safety ProceduresField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
-
Co-op AdvertisingAd TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail MarketingLoyalty Program/App
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- No
- Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
- No
- Can this franchise be run part time?
- No
- Are exclusive territories available?
- Yes
Work with our free FranCoach and get what you need to start a Donatos franchise.
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Donatos landed on this year’s Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Stock History for Donatos
Ticker Symbol for Donatos: None
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Donatos ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Want to stay updated on the latest franchise news?
Never miss a beat when you sign up to receive our newsletter.
We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse more franchises that are similar to Donatos.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
'It Was Like a Drug': How Dave's Hot Chicken Grew a Cult Following in an East Hollywood Parking Lot
What started as a parking lot pop-up expanded to 67 locations in less than five years. Here's how Dave's Hot Chicken became one of the fastest-growing food chains in the country.
Are You an Ideal Franchisee? Here's How to Find Out.
How does your personality compare? Do you like following rules or making the rules?
Fuel The Next Generation With Children's Business Franchising
There's endless opportunity in kid-friendly startups.
Buying a Franchise? Make Sure the Marketing Process Is Worth It
Make sure the franchise you buy, and their marketing system, are worthy of your time and investment.
Secure a B2B Company of Your Own With a Business Services Franchise
There are many ways to own a business that helps other businesses thrive.
Is a Home-Based Business Right for You? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions First
The lifestyle that comes with a home-based franchise may seem carefree, but it's not for everyone. Here are five questions to ask yourself to see if this type of business is for you.