Latest news with #Donatos
Axios
25-06-2025
- Axios
Robots made me Donatos pizza — and it tasted great
Donatos' new pizza-making robots have been turning heads, so I stopped by the airport to see the "sci-pie" in action. Dining the news: The fully autonomous restaurant is a first for the locally founded chain, cooking a 10-inch pizza in just over 10 minutes. It opened two weeks ago to national attention and the hype hasn't died down. I saw several travelers gawking and snapping videos. What they're saying: "A computer makes your pizza?" quipped one puzzled passerby. "Did you try the robot pizza?!" another asked me with an excited smile. How it works: Scan a QR code to place an order (currently just cheese or pepperoni). A robotic arm pulls pre-rolled dough out of a refrigerator and sends it through machinery to layer on sauce and toppings. It even shakes Parmesan on top before sending it through the oven on a conveyor belt. When it's done cooking, another robot places the pizza into a cutting machine, then slides it off the pan and into a cardboard box. You retrieve it inside a pickup area that's unlocked with a unique code. 💭 My thought bubble: To my surprise, the pizza was the perfect temperature. It tasted just as good, if not better, than ones I've picked up from local Donatos restaurants. Novelty aside, I'm just happy our airport finally has a filling late-night food option for us red eye travelers. Yes, but: A human employee still must occasionally stock and clean the robot restaurant, which can take a little while. Stop by: Open 24/7 at John Glenn International Airport, just before security in Concourse B.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donatos Pizza expands presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston
US-based pizza restaurant chain Donatos Pizza has signed three new franchise groups as part of its plans to expand presence in Texas. The company's commitment to the Lone Star State is reinforced with the latest agreements, which include two in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area and one in Houston. The agreements brings the total number of Donatos Pizza franchise groups in Texas to nine. As part of its long-term growth strategy in Texas, Donatos aims to open more than 100 locations across key Texas markets, including DFW, Houston, Waco, Austin, and East Texas. Donatos Pizza development and franchising VP Jeff Baldwin said: "With every new agreement, we're strengthening our footprint on these communities throughout Texas while showcasing our commitment to delivering more of what our guests love: more toppings, more flavour, and more deliciousness. DFW and Houston are powerhouse markets, and we're excited to welcome motivated franchise partners who are ready to grow with us." Currently, Donatos Pizza operates two locations in Flower Mound and Frisco in Texas. Donatos Pizza CEO and president Kevin King added: "Texas is a huge priority for us. We are attracting very capable partners who are ready to build something meaningful with us in the Lone Star State." Donatos Pizza has also introduced a new tagline, "Gotta love more," which underscores the brand's dedication to delivering more value, innovation, and community connection. This commitment is evident in both the brand's menu offerings, such as the $5 Pizza Pals Menu, and its efforts to expand its presence through franchise partners. In April 2025, Donatos Pizza selected Revmo AI as its partner to implement a new voice ordering system. This system will automate phone orders across the brand's entire network, enhancing efficiency and customer service. "Donatos Pizza expands presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Unusual 2-Ingredient Upgrade A Small Midwestern Chain Gave Hawaiian Pizza
Pizza is ubiquitous. Estimates say that 350 slices are eaten every second in the United States, so it's almost hard to believe it's only enjoyed mainstream popularity since the 1940s. In fact, when Canadian restaurateur Sam Panopoulos introduced pizza to his menu in the early 1960s, it was relatively unheard of. Panopoulos quickly grew bored with the common pizza toppings of the time and decided to switch things up by adding ham and pineapple. The result was a definitive — if controversial — success, and Hawaiian pizza was born. While the classic Hawaiian pizza toppings remain ham and pineapple, some creative pizzerias put their own spin on the pie. Donatos Pizza, for example, adds some "not-so-secret ingredients": cinnamon and sliced almonds. Donatos, founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963, now has close to 425 locations in 28 states. This number includes 175 Donatos restaurants and about 300 partnership locations. The chain is known for its famous thin crust and, as stated on its website, a dedication "To serve the best pizza and make your day a little better." In addition to the cinnamon and sliced almonds, Donatos' Hawaiian pie comes with smoked provolone, shaved ham and pineapple. While it comes on the thin crust by default, you can also request a thicker crust, hand-tossed crust, cauliflower crust, or a more traditional gluten-free option. Other Twists To Pineapple Pizza Although pineapple on pizza is hotly debated (Icelandic President Guðni Jóhannesson stirred up international outrage in 2017 by saying he wished he could ban it as a topping option), putting fruit on pizza (or at least, pizza's culinary ancestors) is a historical concept that dates back at least 2,000 years. And while Panopoulos didn't invent Hawaiian pizza until the 1960s, a similar idea, Toast Hawaii (ham, cheese, pineapple and a maraschino cherry on white bread) was trending in Europe several years before. So, love it or hate it, pineapple pizza is perhaps both inevitable and here to stay. Besides Donatos' spiced and crunchy twist, other pizza restaurants have not only embraced the Hawaiian pizza, they've added their own intriguing takes. Hideaway Pizza, a popular chain with locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, puts canned mandarin orange slices on its Maui Magic specialty pizza. Tandoori Pizza, known primarily for its Indian-inspired flavors, adds pineapple to its BBQ Chicken Pizza. Even Pizza Hut, although not one of the best fast food pizza chains, thinks outside the box by foregoing the ham for chicken (and bell peppers) on its Hawaiian Chicken Pizza. And Mellow Mushroom has not one, but two, pineapple pizzas: the Pacific Rim (with the notable addition of jalapeños) and the Maui Wowie, which substitutes red sauce for pesto and kicks up the heat with jerk chicken and banana peppers.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donatos Pizza Combines Sweet and Spicy with Three Smoky Hot Honey Offerings
More Flavor, More Sweet Heat – Donatos Delivers Bold New Hot Honey Offerings, Plus the Return of Fan-Favorite Hot Honey Wings COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Donatos Pizza, the premium pizza franchise famous for its abundant Edge to Edge® toppings, is announcing its fleet of new and returning sweet and spicy items. From March 17 to April 27, Donatos Pizza is offering its Smoky Hot Honey Pizza and Smoky Hot Honey Chicken Sub at all locations. Additionally on March 17th, the brand will announce the return of its popular Hot Honey Wings, which will remain a permanent menu item moving forward. Smoky Hot Honey Pizza Inspired by the hot and spicy honey craze, the Donatos Smoky Hot Honey Pizza features Heritage pepperoni, hardwood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, aged smoked provolone, woodfired chipotle seasoning, and is drizzled with Mike's Hot Honey®. Smoky Hot Honey Chicken Sub Its companion sandwich, the Smoky Hot Honey Chicken Sub, is an oven-baked sub with crispy woodfired chipotle chicken, jalapenos, hardwood smoked bacon, topped off with Mike's Hot Honey® drizzle. Smokin' Hot Promotional Pricing + $5 Pizza Pals To ensure the delivery of value and abundance for each and every guest, the brand will be running promotional pricing for the Smoky Hot Honey menu items through April 27. Customers will receive $4 off a large Smoky Hot Honey Pizza with the promo code 'SMOKY.' To bring even more love to the table, the Smoky Hot Honey Chicken Sub is joining the new $5 Pizza Pals Menu. This exciting new offering allows customers to add a "Pizza Pal"—featuring options like subs, salads, calzatos, and more—for just $5 with the purchase of any large pizza. "Our new Smoky Hot Honey menu items are an elevated take on popular flavor pairings that are taking the restaurant industry by storm. We've seen remarkable enthusiasm for our Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza, which is now a permanent menu item, and we're excited to build on that success," said Jodie Conrad, Chief Marketing Officer of Donatos Pizza. "Hot honey is experiencing incredible momentum, and Datassential predicts it will outperform 100% of all other ingredients over the next four years. By fusing the bold flavors of spicy, sweet, and savory, we're creating something truly delicious for our guests to enjoy across multiple menu items." For more information about Donatos Pizza, please visit About Donatos PizzaDonatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, is a family-owned business known for its famous thin-crust pizzas with abundant toppings spread Edge to Edge®. Headquartered in Columbus, Donatos and its franchise partners operate over 175 stores. Additionally, Donatos Pizza is proudly served in nearly 300 non-traditional locations nationwide, including select Red Robin restaurants. Committed to quality, community, and customer satisfaction, Donatos Pizza has received numerous awards and accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence and innovation. For more information about Donatos Pizza and franchising opportunities, visit Contact: Maddy Reda | Franchise Elevator PR | mreda@ | (847) 945-1300 ext. 255 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Donatos Pizza Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘More opportunities': Donatos board chairwoman talks new tagline
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A central Ohio-based pizza company with countless locations in the Miami Valley has changed its tagline. In the last 62 years, Donatos has been recognized by its taglines of 'Sizzling Hot,' 'Best On The Block' and 'Every Piece Is Important.' Donatos made the decision to change it once more to 'Gotta Love More.' Jane Grote Abell, chief purpose officer and board chairwoman of Donatos, provided a glance into the company's decision-making process for 'Gotta Love More.' Since the company has always been about 'unconditional love and doing the right thing,' Abell said the company operates by three tenants: Always lead with love and everything that you do, especially in hard times Treat others the way you want to be treated Do the right thing In 1999, Donatos sold to McDonald's because the pizza chain believed it would increase love across the world. Abell, a second-generation family founding member of Donatos, along with her father and founder of Donatos, Jim Grote, later decided to purchase the company back. 'When we sold to McDonald's, which was many, many moons ago in 1999, we did it because we thought honestly, we could build a business based on the power of love and grow around the world,' said Abell. 'And when that didn't end up working out and my dad and I bought the company back, so it became a very father daughter business.' According to Abell, the company is more-so family oriented as a family business, meaning community members often become members of the Donatos family. 'And so, as we started growing, it was about having a place where community could get together and whether it's the birthday party or the sports team or whether it's at your house or if you happen to be near a location where we have a party room that we're able to bring more than just pizza, we're able to bring more experience and more laughter and more love,' Abell said. The new tagline was a collaborative effort, which continues on the baseline about more than just edge-to-edge toppings on a pizza. 'It's about more opportunities to be at the birthday parties and bring love there and to shareexperiences because what's great about pizza is it brings people together and around ameal,' said Abell. For more information on the history of Donatos, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
