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Donatos Pizza CEO Tom Krouse announces retirementDonatos Pizza CEO Tom Krouse announces retirement

Krouse will retire from the restaurant company in October after 14 years as CEO, and will be replaced by current president Kevin King

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

May 1, 2024

1 Min Read
Tom Krouse and Kevin King of Donatos
Donatos Pizza is soon getting a new CEO.Donatos

Joanna Fantozzi

Columbus, Ohio-based Donatos Pizza announced Wednesday that CEO Tom Krouse is retiring in October after 14 years at the helm of the pizza company. Krouse’s successor will be Kevin King, who is currently serving as president of Donatos Pizza.

Krouse has been working for Donatos Pizza for more than 20 years, joining the company in 2000 after 13 years at Wendy’s. Since then, he worked his way up from senior vice president of marketing to CEO, where he has served since 2010. Under his leadership, Donatos doubled in size to 178 units, according to the most recent Technomic data.

"I feel like the luckiest guy alive to have had the opportunity to lead a company with amazing people and an awesome mission," Krouse said in a statement. "I'm truly honored. I am so happy for Kevin and Donatos because he is the perfect choice to take this company into the future."

Incoming CEO Kevin King has been working as president of Donatos for two years. Previously, King had served as chief development officer of Smoothie King for six years, and also previously served as chief development officer for Papa Murphy’s. As incoming CEO, King hopes to focus on growth and innovation.

"Tom's leadership and counsel since rejoining Donatos has been nothing short of exceptional," King said in a statement. "He's been a phenomenal mentor and a true friend. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from him and build upon his legacy. Together, with our talented and diverse leadership team, I'm excited to continue to elevate Donatos' reputation for delicious food, strong community ties, and an unwavering commitment to our values."

Related:Family-owned Donatos franchise business passes the ownership to the next generation

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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