The “Why” That Drives Donatos’ Growth Strategy
At Donatos, growth isn’t just about more stores — it’s about more meaning. Kevin King returned to Donatos with deep roots in the brand, and his mission isn’t simply expansion; it’s purposeful expansion anchored in a clearly articulated “why.” As he puts it, his role is that of “chief inspiration and vision person” — less about day-to-day oversight and more about igniting a shared direction across franchise partners, employees and guests alike. Franchising.com
Values + Innovation = Franchise Partner Success
King’s strategy hinges on three pillars: family values, innovation and franchise-partner support. While the brand continues to invest in technology like automation and artificial intelligence to improve delivery and customer satisfaction, King emphasizes that none of it matters if the culture isn’t aligned. He states that every “ask” of the field must come with the “why” behind it — ensuring the team sees purpose, not just process. Franchising.com
Scaling with Integrity
In franchise development, scaling rapidly without losing identity is the trend trap. Donatos is tackling it head-on by embedding the brand’s purpose into its growth framework. King knows one of his biggest challenges is staying visible with his teams and modeling the behavior he expects throughout the system. The takeaway for potential franchisees? When the franchisor is clear on purpose, present with people, and deliberate about expansion, you’re looking at a partnership built for more than just opening units — you’re looking at meaningful growth. Franchising.com