Donatos Pizza

The vendor opportunity at Donatos Pizza

Donatos Pizza is a quick-service restaurant chain headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with 179 total units as of its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Of those, 128 are franchised locations and 51 are company-owned, giving software vendors a targetable base of 128 independently operated stores that must comply with HQ technology mandates. The brand posted year-over-year unit growth of 2.4% and an average unit volume of $1,130,267, with a 4% royalty rate on gross sales. For a vendor, the math is straightforward: a small but stable franchise network where every new location or renewal cycle represents a potential software insertion point.

The franchise is independently owned — no parent company appears on file — which means the executive team in Ohio holds direct authority over technology standards without interference from a larger corporate hierarchy. That centralization simplifies the sales process for vendors who can reach the right decision-maker.

Who controls software purchasing

Technology purchasing authority sits at the Donatos Pizza headquarters. The FDD lists five key executives in Item 1: Founder James E. Grote, Executive Chairwoman and Chief Purpose Officer Jane M. Grote, Chief Executive Officer and President Kevin King, Chief Financial Officer Douglas V. Kourie, and Vice President of Development and Franchising Jeff Baldwin. For a software vendor, the most likely entry points are Kevin King, who runs day-to-day operations as CEO, and Douglas Kourie, who controls the budget as CFO. Jeff Baldwin’s role in development and franchising also makes him a stakeholder when technology touches store openings, training, or compliance.

Because the franchise mandates specific systems, any vendor pitch must address how a new tool integrates with or replaces existing mandated platforms. The buying center is small and senior, so outreach should be concise and data-driven.

Mandated and current tech stack

Donatos Pizza’s 2026 FDD mandates three technology components: a System Website, TRIO Software, and M.O.S.T. EDGE Software. The System Website is a required digital storefront, while TRIO and M.O.S.T. EDGE are operational platforms — likely covering point-of-sale, inventory, labor, or analytics functions, though the FDD does not break out each system’s exact role. For vendors selling adjacent tools (catering, delivery optimization, loyalty, HR, or financial reporting), these mandates define the integration landscape. Any new software must coexist with TRIO and M.O.S.T. EDGE, or make a compelling case for replacement at the franchisor level.

No other mandated or recommended vendors are named in the FDD, which leaves room for supplementary solutions that franchisees might adopt individually — but only if HQ permits it under the franchise agreement’s operational standards.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The FDD does not include an Item 8 procurement extract, so the brand’s purchasing model — whether designated supplier, approved supplier, or open — is not publicly disclosed. Vendors should assume a controlled environment where HQ evaluates and endorses technology before franchisees can adopt it.

Franchise agreements run for an initial 10-year term, with one additional 10-year renewal available if the franchisee meets conditions including written notice, full compliance with the agreement, remodeling and upgrading the restaurant, and consistent operation aligned with the brand’s mission statement. These renewal triggers — particularly the remodeling and upgrading requirement — create natural windows where franchisees must invest in their operations, potentially opening the door for technology upgrades. With 128 franchised units and a 2.4% growth rate, a handful of renewals and new openings each year represent the most likely sales cycles for software vendors.

How to read the Donatos Pizza FDD

The 2026 Donatos Pizza Franchise Disclosure Document is the definitive source for understanding the brand’s legal, financial, and operational requirements. It contains the executive roster, unit counts, mandated technology, renewal terms, and financial performance representations — all of which a software vendor needs to build a credible pitch. The embedded PDF viewer on this page provides the full document. For vendors targeting Donatos, focus on Items 1 (executives), 11 (mandated systems), and 17 (renewal conditions) to map the buying center and timing. FranCloud can help you build a ranked target list of franchise systems that match your software category.