This article was inspired by content originally published on Men’s Journal
Introduction
In a bold move that signals both confidence in their craft and a strong understanding of America’s evolving pizza appetite, Donatos Pizza has announced plans to open over 100 new locations. For an Ohio-based brand that started with a single Columbus shop in 1963, this expansion is more than just a growth spurt it’s a statement. One that resonates with pizza lovers, restaurant suppliers, and shop owners alike.
But what exactly is fueling Donatos’ impressive rollout, and what can the rest of the pizza world learn from their playbook?
A Signature Crust—and a Signature Strategy
Donatos built its fanbase on a golden rule: “Every piece is important.” Their edge-to-edge toppings, ultra-thin crust, and 100-piece pepperoni pies have become cult classics. But the real story here is how Donatos leveraged consistency, quality, and a smart partnership with Red Robin Gourmet Burgers to scale without diluting their identity.
Pizza Pro Insight for Shop Owners: Donatos didn’t chase trends they perfected their formula. As you look to grow your own operation, consider investing in a consistent dough-making process. A commercial dough mixer and precision portioning tools can ensure each pizza looks and tastes the same whether you’re serving 20 customers a night or 2,000.
Enthusiasts: Why You Should Pay Attention
If you’re a pizza connoisseur who seeks out local favorites and cult brands, Donatos might be your next obsession. While chain pizza often gets dismissed for being generic, Donatos proves that scale and quality can coexist. Their family recipe thin crust and cracker-like texture is now easier to access than ever.
Affiliate Tip for Pizza Lovers at Home: Want to recreate that signature Donatos crunch in your own kitchen? Try a perforated pizza crisper tray for that airy, crisp finish or a countertop pizza oven for fast, even bakes.
For Suppliers: Expansion = Opportunity
More than 100 new stores means an expanded need for supply chain support, particularly for ingredients and equipment that can scale fast without sacrificing quality. Whether it’s high-moisture mozzarella, custom-cut pepperoni, or eco-conscious pizza boxes, suppliers should be positioning themselves now to serve rising demand.
B2B Affiliate Opportunity: If you supply to pizza chains, consider adding scalable essentials like bulk cheese portioning systems or automated dough presses to your catalog. These tools help keep prep consistent as operations scale up.
Lessons in Smart Partnerships
A big part of Donatos’ recent growth comes from its partnership with Red Robin, where Donatos pizzas are offered at hundreds of burger locations. It’s a win-win: Red Robin boosts menu diversity; Donatos gains exposure without investing in full standalone buildouts.
Pizza Shop Owner Strategy: This approach offers a key takeaway for small pizzerias: partnerships can be the low-risk growth vehicle you’re overlooking. Consider a food hall, brewery, or bar partnership where your pizza enhances an existing venue. It can serve as a marketing engine and a proof-of-concept for future standalone locations.
And don’t forget the backend: smooth growth requires smart systems. Tools like cloud-based POS platforms with delivery integration or restaurant analytics software can help smaller brands scale without logistical chaos.
The Bigger Picture: Pizza as an American Powerhouse
The Donatos expansion is a loud reminder that pizza is still booming despite inflation, labor shortages, and rising food costs. Why? Because it’s comfort food. It’s communal. It travels well. And it continues to evolve with consumer demands whether that’s vegan cheese, gluten-free crusts, or cauliflower bases.
Pizza Pro Tip: Stay on top of trends. Even a classic brand like Donatos isn’t afraid to innovate. You shouldn’t be either. Testing new ingredients? A smart pizza scale can help you keep tight food cost control while innovating.
Final Slice
Donatos’ rapid-fire growth isn’t just a win for the brand it’s a clear message to the industry: there’s still plenty of dough in pizza. Whether you’re a home baker, an equipment supplier, or a neighborhood pizzeria aiming to grow, there’s something to learn and earn from Donatos’ expansion model.
Because when every piece is important, so is every decision.
Affiliate Product Recap
- Commercial Dough Mixer
- Precision Portion Tools
- Pizza Crisper Tray
- Home Pizza Oven
- Bulk Cheese Portioning System
- Automated Dough Press
- Cloud-Based POS for Pizza Shops
- Pizza Analytics Software
- Smart Pizza Scale
Affiliate Disclosure:This article was inspired by content originally published on Men’s Journal, available at the link above. This article contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Magazine may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them.
