Donatos Pizza is not just a pizza-making company. It is also committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the communities it serves. The brand shows its dedication to social responsibility through various initiatives, such as supporting local charities and organizations and promoting kindness within and outside the company. Even the brand's name has a purpose - Donatos Pizza comes from the Latin word "Donare," which means "to give a good thing."
A Legacy of Giving
For the Grote family, the founding family of Donatos Pizza, giving back has always been more than just a value—it’s a way of life. When Jim Grote started Donatos Pizza in 1963, he built this purpose into its foundation. As the business thrived, Jim's dedication to his craft was matched only by his commitment to family and community. He raised his family in a home behind that first pizza shop, where work, friendships, and family blended seamlessly to define the unique culture of Donatos Pizza. During this time, Jim developed the brand’s mission: to promote goodwill through product and service, principles and people—which still holds true all these years later.
Inspired by this culture, Jane Grote, Chairwoman of the Board, Chief Purpose Officer and founding family member, established the Donatos Family Foundation. The foundation’s initiative is strategically focused on making a sustainable, positive impact on the communities Donatos Pizza serves. "It’s not about being swept up and then just writing a check," Jane states. "It's about taking what is in our heart and making it actionable." The foundation is a testament to how Donatos Pizza takes impactful and meaningful action to continue its legacy of giving back. "Our family built our giving strategy to reflect our values," Jane states. "Giving more than we receive is woven into our culture.”
Community-Centric Culture
Through the Donatos Family Foundation, Donatos Pizza is committed to making a positive impact on communities by partnering with local organizations that represent three important pillars: housing, hunger, and health. An integral partner in the housing pillar is Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that helps communities worldwide build safe, affordable homes. In 2023, Donatos Pizza raised over $120,000 through dedicated efforts for local Habitat chapters, directly contributing to building sustainable housing solutions in communities.
Donatos Pizza is committed to addressing hunger and health issues in its communities, too. It actively collaborates with food banks like the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and local hospitals, and supports organizations like The Reeb Center, a community center in Columbus, Ohio. The Reeb Center, co-founded by Jane Grote and Tanny Crane, provides critical assistance to struggling community members, offering education, job training, and many other resources.
A Legacy Continues
By partnering with organizations and committing to meaningful change, Donatos Pizza exemplifies a dedication to positively impacting the community, providing families life-changing opportunities, and helping create a better future for everyone.
Franchise partners at Donatos Pizza often find it rewarding to give back to their local communities and build relationships inside and outside the store. Donatos Pizza takes pride in providing a unique, collaborative culture that offers comprehensive support and ongoing training to its franchise partners. “It was a way more family feel than other franchises,” state Travis and Kirsten Hibbert, multi-unit franchise partners in Tennessee. “We weren’t used to having as much support as we had with Donatos Pizza.”
Are you interested in a business opportunity that promotes goodwill and gives back to the community? Contact Donatos Pizza this holiday season to learn more about opening a location in your area.