Franchising

Donatos seeks to widen Tennessee footprint

Photo: iStock.

July 23, 2021

Ohio-based, Donatos Pizza, is hoping to increase its numbers in the Volunteer State of Tennessee, especially around Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Memphis, a news release said.

Donatos currently has two locations in the state, including Nashville and Murfreesboro but hopes to sign deals with between six and 10 multi-unit operators to expand its Tennessee footprint. Donatos plans to open the first of three locations in the Knoxville area by the end of summer, with opportunities for over 20 additional locations statewide in the future.

Donatos franchise fee is $30,000, making the initial investment to own and operate a restaurant between $360,360 to $697,400. The average store is 1,700-2,200 square feet and employs roughly 30 primarily part-time people. The average volume nationwide, per store, exceeds $1.14 million, the release said.

Today, Donatos is served in 308 locations including in 168 traditional Donatos restaurants in 20 states, and its products are proudly served in 10 sports and entertainment venues. Additionally, Donatos Pizza and Red Robin partnered two years ago to bring a scaled-down Donatos pizza menu to that brand. The two franchises have expanded plans and today, that partnership includes 130 Red Robin locations with plans to have Donatos pizza served in over 200 locations by the end of 2021.