Sponsored By

Donatos Pizza returns to Georgia with fresh lookDonatos Pizza returns to Georgia with fresh look

Franchisee opens unit in Savannah

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 28, 2019

5 Slides
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Already have an account?

Donatos Pizza has returned to Georgia after pulling out of the market in 2002.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company said franchisee Southern Moose Investments, consisting of partners Bob Fischer, Adam Kurena, Cassie Greene and their families, has opened a new strip-mall unit in the Medical Arts area of Savannah, Ga.

The May 21 opening marked a return to Georgia for the brand after it closed its Atlanta stores and pulled out of the state in 2002. McDonald’s Corp. purchased the Donatos chain in 1999 and sold it back to the brand’s founder, Jim Grote, in 2003.

The new unit covers 2,000 square feet and features 30 seats. It offers what the company described as “a contemporary and spacious dine-in experience.”

“We’re excited to open a location in the Savannah area,” said Tom Krouse, Donatos CEO, in a statement. “Our new franchise partners have already proven to be successful and we are excited for what they will add to the Donatos’ family.”

Donatos and its franchise partners operate 160 restaurants in 10 states.

Photos courtesy of Donatos Pizza

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.