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The casual dining chain under then-CEO Denny Marie Post pursued a different pizza brand three years ago before turning to Donatos, which was skittish after its experience with McDonald’s
After the founder of Donatos Pizza repurchased the chain from McDonald’s in 2003, the Ohio-based pizzeria brand — known for its edge-to-edge toppings — was reluctant to partner with any big corporation.
“We were very cautious about who we got involved with,” Donatos CEO Tom Krouse told Nation’s Restaurant News in a recent phone interview.
That all changed in 2018 when the family-run pizza company was approached by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. Led by then-CEO Denny Marie Post, the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual dining was searching for a food offering that would complement its burger-centric menu.
“As we looked at our overall menu, burgers are always at the heart of who we are. It always will be,” Jason Rusk, vice president of business ...
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