Donatos Pizza Expands into Houston, Texas: Franchise Growth adn Future Plans
December 24, 2025 – Donatos Pizza, a well-established Midwest pizza chain, is making its debut in the Houston, Texas market through agreements with three franchise groups. This expansion marks a significant step in the company’s growth strategy within the state and nationally, bringing its unique pizza offerings to a new customer base.
Expansion Details and Timeline
According to a recent press release, Donatos anticipates opening two to three locations in the Houston area in 2026, with the first store projected to open in the summer (Donatos Pizza, December 23, 2025). This initial phase focuses on establishing a presence and gauging customer response before further expansion. The company also expressed interest in adding locations across both the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area and Houston, actively seeking entrepreneurs interested in franchise opportunities.
“As we continue to grow our presence in Texas, we’re excited to announce the first location in Houston,” stated Kevin King, CEO and President of Donatos Pizza. “We are looking to add additional locations across DFW and houston and we look forward to welcoming aspiring Texas entrepreneurs to explore our franchise chance. Most importantly, we are excited for customers and the community to experience the difference of our high-quality pizza.” (Donatos Pizza, December 23, 2025).
About Donatos Pizza
Donatos Pizza currently operates over 179 customary stores across the United States. Beyond its brick-and-mortar locations, the brand extends its reach through nearly 300 non-traditional placements, notably within select Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews restaurants (Donatos pizza, accessed December 24, 2025). founded in 1963 by Jim Grote in Columbus,Ohio,Donatos is known for its signature thin crust,edge-to-edge toppings,and family-owned values.
Franchise Opportunities
Donatos Pizza is actively seeking qualified franchise partners to support its expansion plans in Texas and beyond. Potential franchisees can find detailed facts about requirements, investment costs, and the application process on the official Donatos Pizza franchise website (https://www.donatos.com/franchise/). The company emphasizes a commitment to supporting franchisees with thorough training, marketing assistance, and ongoing operational guidance.
Looking Ahead
The Houston expansion represents a key component of Donatos Pizza’s broader strategy to increase its national footprint and introduce its distinctive pizza experience to new markets. The company’s continued growth,both through traditional and non-traditional channels,demonstrates its adaptability and commitment to serving customers across a variety of platforms.
Sources:
* Donatos Pizza. (December 23, 2025). Donatos Pizza Announces Expansion into Houston, Texas.https://www.donatos.com/news/donatos-pizza-announces-expansion-into-houston-texas/
* Donatos Pizza. (Accessed December 24, 2025). Franchise Information. https://www.donatos.com/franchise/
* Donatos Pizza. (Accessed december 24, 2025). About Us. https://www.donatos.com/about-us/
Keywords: Donatos Pizza, Houston, Texas, Franchise, Pizza, Restaurant, Expansion, Donatos Franchise, Pizza Franchise, Texas Restaurants, DFW, Kevin King, Red Robin.
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