Latest news with #Donatos'
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
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donatos Pizza signs three store franchise agreement in Houston, Texas
US-based pizza franchise Donatos Pizza has revealed an expansion in the Texas market with a new franchise agreement for three outlets in Houston. The brand has already made inroads in the state through existing locations in Flower Mound and Frisco. The first of the three outlets is expected to open in 2025. The company aims to boost its presence through the franchise model with immediate market opportunities in Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Austin, Waco and East Texas. With more than 100 locations targeted for opening, Donatos aims to establish itself as a major player in the Lone Star State's competitive foodservice sector. Donatos vice-president of development and franchising Jeff Baldwin said: "We are looking to sign franchise groups and partners to build the first 30 locations in the Greater Houston market. "With decades of experience and valuable insights, we offer exceptional support to our franchise partners, providing a scaleable and profitable opportunity for those seeking to join the brand." Donatos' commitment to Texas is underscored by the development of multiple new stores within the DFW area. It aims to capture a significant share of the Texan market, where several franchises are vying for dominance. Donatos Pizza CEO and president Kevin King stated: "With strong brand recognition and proven success across the nation, we know our business model is the right fit for franchise groups looking to develop in Texas. "This year, we are looking to add 3 to 5 new locations across DFW and Houston. We look forward to welcoming aspiring Texas entrepreneurs to explore our franchise opportunity and for customers to experience the difference of our high-quality pizza." In September 2024, Donatos Pizza entered a new partnership in Panama City, Florida and identified further potential locations for growth across the north and central Florida regions: Destin-Ft Walton Beach, Gainesville, the Lake City area, Pensacola and Tallahassee. "Donatos Pizza signs three store franchise agreement in Houston, Texas " was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
