DONATOS PIZZA
Donatos Pizza franchises operate brick-and-mortar restaurants featuring fresh, high-quality pizzas, sandwiches, and other foods in a distinctive setting, offering dine-in, carry-out, pick-up window, curbside delivery, and delivery services. The business model grants franchises to develop and operate these restaurants under strict operating standards, targeting the general public in competitive pizza markets with a focus on multi-unit development territories. They serve customers year-round, competing with other pizza chains and restaurants.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
4% royalty + 1% (up to 4%) national marketing fund + $185/mo proprietary computer software maintenance and support
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 110 Franchisee-Owned Covered Restaurants operating during the 2024 fiscal year were used for Net Sales data (Table 3, Page 4). A sample of 111 Franchisee-Owned Covered Restaurants from different sales tiers was used for EBITDA and cost percentages (Section II, Page 5).
* Average gross revenue, median gross revenue, revenue top quartile (High), and revenue bottom quartile (Low) are directly from 'Table 3: Net Sales of Franchisee Covered Restaurants' for 2024 Net Sales (Page 4). EBITDA percentages, Cost of Goods Sold percentages, Labor Costs percentages, and Controllable Costs percentages for different sales tiers were extracted from the 'Sales Ranges' table and its accompanying notes (Page 5). The unit counts for the EBITDA calculation tiers are: 29 units ($10,001 - $15,000), 40 units ($15,001 - $20,000), 24 units ($20,001 - $25,000), and 18 units ($25,000+), totaling 111 units. The average EBITDA margin percentage (0.08467567567567567) was calculated as a weighted average of the EBITDA percentages for each tier (-0.5%, 7.9%, 14.3%, 16.4%) based on their respective unit counts. Average EBITDA ($88,424.52) was calculated by multiplying the average gross revenue ($1,044,273) by the weighted average EBITDA margin percentage. The average Cost of Goods Sold percentage (0.3156666666666667) was calculated as a weighted average of the COGS percentages for each tier (32.5%, 31.5%, 30.9%, 31.1%) based on their respective unit counts. Average gross profit ($714,630.82) was calculated as average gross revenue ($1,044,273) * (1 - average_cogs_pct). Best guess profit low ($-5,221.365) and high ($171,260.772) were estimated by multiplying the average gross revenue ($1,044,273) by the lowest tier EBITDA percentage (-0.5%) and the highest tier EBITDA percentage (16.4%), respectively, to represent a range of potential EBITDA outcomes.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How DONATOS PIZZA Compares to Other Fast Casual Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DONATOS PIZZA Current | N/A | $30K | 4.0% | 125 |
| Tropical Smoothie Cafe | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ | $300K - $721K | $35K | 6.0% | 1,371 |
| FIREHOUSE SUBS RESTAURANTS (UNIT) | $379K - $1.4M | $20K | 6.0% | 1,248 |
| Zaxby's | $1.4M - $3.8M | $35K | 6.0% | 826 |
| Qdoba | $548K - $1.3M | $40K | 5.0% | 652 |
Fast Casual Average 107 franchises | $532K - $1.2M | $39K | 5.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 107 Fast Casual franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for DONATOS PIZZA franchisees (2013 - 2023)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much revenue does a DONATOS PIZZA franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a DONATOS PIZZA franchise is $1,044,273. The median revenue is $957,664.
How much profit can you make with a DONATOS PIZZA franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a DONATOS PIZZA franchise ranges from $-5,221.37 to $171,260.77 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many DONATOS PIZZA franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, DONATOS PIZZA has 125 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2005.
Can you get an SBA loan for a DONATOS PIZZA franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for DONATOS PIZZA franchises. Historical data shows 23 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for DONATOS PIZZA franchisees, with an average loan amount of $441,548. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is DONATOS PIZZA a good franchise to buy?
DONATOS PIZZA shows several positive indicators: established brand with 125+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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