---
title: "Donatos Continue Expansion across Southwest Florida"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e35aaa10-976f-4aae-8c43-8e86c9e5772d
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20220426_donatos_continue_expansion_across_southwest_florida.html
category: "Pizza"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Pizza"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2022-04-26T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:06.054Z
image: https://imgs.franchising.com/brands/social/donatospizza.jpg
---

# Donatos Continue Expansion across Southwest Florida

**TL;DR:** Donatos Pizza continues its expansion across Southwest Florida with a 3-store deal in Fort Myers. The company was founded by Jim Grote in 1963 and previously acquired by McDonald's Corporation in 1999.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2022-04-26. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20220426_donatos_continue_expansion_across_southwest_florida.html).*

## Story

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Donatos is kicking off 2022 with expansion throughout Southwest Florida. The pizza chain’s latest expansion in the state includes a 3-store deal in Fort Myers with Herwig Enterprises, the first location slated to open later in 2022.

Donatos was founded in 1963 when Ohio State sophomore Jim Grote bought a small pizza shop in Columbus, Ohio from a young seminarian for $1,300. The company was classified “Best in Class” and acquired by McDonald’s Corporation in 1999, at a time when the fast-food giant was extending its reach to include other restaurant brands. A few years later, McDonald’s board of directors urged executives to focus on the core burger business. This strategic change provided an opportunity for Grote and his daughter, Jane Grote Abell, to buy back the company in 2003.

Impressive numbers, outstanding support and incredible pizza delivery create an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. Join the pizza franchise that combines innovation and a strong ROI to drive success.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- McDonald's (company)
- franchise deal (topic)
- Donatos Pizza (company)
- pizza chain (topic)
- Jim Grote (person)
- Fort Myers, Florida (location)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20220426_donatos_continue_expansion_across_southwest_florida.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e35aaa10-976f-4aae-8c43-8e86c9e5772d).