Frequently Asked Questions.

Answers About Our Pizza Restaurant Franchise.

Are you interested in taking the first step toward becoming a Donatos franchisee? If so, you’ve come to the right place! We know this is a big decision, and you probably have some questions. Our FAQ page is designed to provide all the answers about our pizza restaurant franchise. From background on our company to information on operating a successful pizza franchise, we have compiled all the necessary information here for you. So read on and let us help make your dreams of owning a Donatos Pizza Franchise come true!

While prior experience in restaurant or business management is preferred, it’s not required. A commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences, a desire to impact your community, and a passion for the food service industry are three key traits we look for. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to run your business.  

Still have questions? Reach out to the Donatos team with any additional inquiries. 

  • Company & Brand

    • How long has Donatos been in business?
      Donatos was founded in 1963 and we opened our first franchise location in 1991. Read more about the Donatos story on the About Us page.
    • Is Donatos a family business

      Yes! We are Family Owned and Operated. As well, we are female majority owned. To learn more about the history of Donatos, visit our About Us page. 

    • What innovation is available to new franchise owners

      Innovation is at the heart of Donatos. In our stores, you will see examples of innovation such as the Smart Pepp and Smart Saucer. Automating the pizza making process, providing food and labor efficiency and allowing more time to make meaningful connections with your customers.

      If you attend our Donatos Day we will take you on an exclusive tour of our AGAPE Innovation center and experience all the innovation we have to offer.

      Traveling through the Columbus Ohio airport? If so, here is where you can experience another Donatos exclusive-Pepp-Tron. The Pepp-Tron is the fully autonomous pizza making machine at the John Glenn airport (near ticketing in pre-security)

    • Who is the CEO and president of Donatos

      Kevin King has been our President and CEO since October of 2024. He became our President in 2022 and had previously served in a development role in the 1990’s

    • Do we make our own dough?

      We are fanatical about our Dough, we have a centralized dough plant that provides consistent, ready to bake dough to all our stores. Our dough platform removes the complications and inconsistencies of dough made at the restaurants. If you attend our Donatos Day we will provide you with an exclusive tour of the facility.

    • Is Donatos rated with franchise business review

      Yes! The annual Franchisee Satisfaction Awards is North America’s only program honoring franchise brands for achieving excellence in franchisee satisfaction. The brands that make up FBR’s Top Franchises are more than just award winners: they are the brands that provide superior training and support to their franchisees and care enough to ask them what they really think. Of all the franchisees we survey, only the very best make it on to our awards list.

    • What makes Donatos different from other pizza franchises

      Donatos is the top choice in your search for a Pizza franchise opportunity with these benefits: 

      • Innovation, Consistency and Quality
      • Edge to Edge® Toppings
      • 100 Pieces of Pepperoni
      • Famous thin dough
      • Golden Crispy Crust
      • Aged Smoked Provolone Cheese
      • Veggies Sliced Daily
      • Family Recipe Sausage
      • Served with a Smile

      To learn more about the Donatos franchise benefits, visit our Why Us page. 

  • Investment & Financial Requirements

    • What are the financial qualifications to open a Donatos?
      You will need $300K liquid capital and $1M net worth to become a Donatos Pizza owner.  To learn more about the initial investment, visit our investment page.
    • How much does it cost to open a Donatos?
      We estimate the initial investment in a Donatos restaurant to range from $546,637 – $1,060,537*. Visit the Donatos investment page for additional detals. *See item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document for additional details.
    • What is the franchise fee?
      The initial franchise fee is $30,000*. For additional details on the investment costs including the franchise fee, visit our investment page. *See item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document for additional details.
    • How long do the franchise agreements last?
      The franchise agreements last for 10 years with a 10 year option.
    • What are the royalty fees?
      Each location pays 4% toward royalty "license" fees* and 5% of net sales toward marketing*. *See item 6 of our Franchise Disclosure Document for additional details.
    • Does Donatos offer a military discount
      Yes, we offer a miliary discount on the first locations franchise fee. To learn more about the cost to own a Donatos Pizza franchise, visit our investment page.

  • Becoming a Franchise Partner

    • Do I need to have restaurant experience to own a Donatos pizza franchise?
      While prior restaurant or business management experience is preferred, it’s not required. A commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences, a desire to impact your community, and a passion for the food service industry are three key traits we look for. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to run your business.
    • Can I have a protected territory for my Donatos

      Yes—if you agree to open multiple locations in any currently available area-we provide territories if you maintain your opening schedules.

    • Do the franchise partners at Donatos have a voice in the business

      Yes, we value the collaboration with our Franchise Partners, and we provide a constant communication and feedback loop with partners and their operators. We have structured this with a five-member franchise partners board we call the Donatos Advisory Council (DAC). Majority of DAC members are elected by other franchise partners, and each DAC member represents multiple franchise partners to cover the entire system. We meet in person quarterly and have video calls between regular meetings to focus on the most important topics that affect the business.

    • What is the process to become a Donatos franchise partner

      The process to becoming a Donatos franchise partner is simple and additional information can be found here. 

      1. Start your inquiry-Set up a call with us

      2. Complete the Application

      3. Schedule your trip to Columbus to attend Donatos Day

      4. Conduct your due diligence

      5. Agree on a territory and schedule-submit your Entity Information

      6. Welcome to the Donatos Family!

  • Location & Operations

    • What are the general operations hours of a Donatos location?
      Our locations are open daily at 11:00am.
    • Do you help me find a location?
      Yes. We have a network of pizza restaurants that sees over 15 million transactions each year, so we’ve learned a lot about our customers and know where to find them. Our market and demographic software uses customer information gathered from transactions to help you select a suitable premium location.
    • What size does my restaurant need to be?
      Typically, we look for locations within commercial strip centers with 2,000 square feet to accommodate 24 to 30 seats.
    • How many employees do I need to run Donatos
      This is dependent on volume success point, but on average you will need 20-25 team members. This will be a blend of full and part time.

  • Training & Support

    • What type of training do you provide?
      We provide training for restaurant Franchise Partners, General Managers, and Managers-in-Training. This training is done on the job at a Donatos location. There is also online training available for Associates. To learn more about Donatos training and support, visit our training and support page.
    • What technology is available to Donatos franchise partners

      Donatos has a proprietary Point of Sale system that is maintained in our home office and staffed by our IT department at Donatos Home Office.

    • What operations and marketing support does Donatos provide

      Donatos provides our pizza franchise partners with comprehensive marketing, training, and operational support to help successfully launch and manage their restaurants.

      Marketing Support

      • Field marketing assistance for local marketing initiatives, including agency recommendations, catering opportunities, sponsorships, and third-party investments.
      • In-house creative services.
      • Management of public relations, rewards programs, email, and SMS campaigns.
      • Customized pre-opening marketing plans.

      Training & Operational Support

      • Manager training programs designed for General Managers, Assistant General Managers, and Hourly Managers.
      • Training and support tailored to the specific needs of Partners and Operators.
      • New Partner Orientation that connects each Partner with the Donatos Home Office support team.
      • A dedicated Promise Team for the first restaurant opening, providing three weeks of hands-on operational support. The team includes a System Field Trainer, General Manager, and two experienced hourly team members.
      • Ongoing access to business tools, reporting, and operational resources.

      Visit the Donatos training and support page for more information. 

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