Round Table Pizza vs Donatos Pizzeria Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Round Table Pizza vs Donatos Pizzeria including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Round Table Pizza Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Investment $327,300 - $1,061,250$386,500 - $698,900
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 4%5%
Year Founded 19591963
Year Franchised 19621991
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Round Table Pizza Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Experience * Foodservice industry experience as an owner/operator or manager with P & L responsibility * Demonstrated ability to lead and manage people * Customer service skills * Strong business acumen and financial management skills * $200,000 in unleveraged liquid assets * $500,000 net worth -

Financing Options

 
Round Table Pizza Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support

 
Round Table Pizza Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Training Round Table's Skills Training Program (STP) is a comprehensive management training curriculum designed to support the ongoing training needs and requirements of our franchisees. The program encompasses modules for new franchise owners and multi-unit operators, managers and assistant managers, shift managers and crew leaders and general crewmembers. Prior to opening, new franchise owners are required to successfully complete a one-week business planning and leadership class at our Concord, CA headquarters. On-The-Job Training: 180 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours On-The-Job Training: 454 hours Classroom Training: 4 hours
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations --

Expansion Plans

 
Round Table Pizza Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Round Table Pizza

Round Table Pizza is the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S. with over 500 restaurants in nine western states and five foreign countries. Headquartered in Concord, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, Round Table has built a reputation as the pizza brand of choice and market share leader in the most competitive and discriminating restaurant markets in the country. We are recognized throughout the West for gourmet taste, quality and menu innovation. The key differentiator between Round Table and other branded pizza chains is our product. Every Round Table restaurant rolls fresh dough every day and tops every pie with fresh cheese and only the freshest ingredients. In this day and age of frozen dough, frozen cheese and frozen toppings, Round Table is unique in the pizza segment. One of the major reasons for the success of the Round Table brand is our franchise owners and their strong commitment to product quality, service and proactive local community involvement. We are committed to franchising as our primary business model. Approximately 80% of Round Table restaurant businesses are owned and operated by franchisees. Our evaluation and selection of new franchise candidates is based upon a number of different factors. We look for individuals with a track record of success in business, the ability to manage and develop people and strong customer service skills. Foodservice industry experience as an owner/operator or manager with P & L responsibility is strongly required. Round Table is seeking qualified individuals who want to partner with a proven brand leader in the pizza segment to join our system.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Restaurant that offers and sells menu items for dining at the Restaurant premises as well as via delivery and carryout services (the “Dine-In Model”), is $471,500 to $1,061,250, which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate prior to opening; and a Restaurant that is only authorized to offer and sell menu items for delivery and carry out from the Restaurant premises (a “DCU Model”) is $327,300 to $510,250, which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate prior to opening.

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#172 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


About Donatos Pizzeria

BE A PART OF A PIZZA BUSINESS THAT'S ON THE RISE. With $1,300 in his pocket and a dream to own his own business, Jim Grote bought a small pizzeria on the south side of Columbus, Ohio and went to work to create a business that was truly unique. Although Donatos has grown and moved into almost 200 neighborhoods, our belief remains the same: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
You are responsible for:
* Leasehold improvements
* Leasing or purchasing equipment
* Hiring and restaurant operation
Donatos provides:
* Product formulas and operational systems
* Store design guidance
* Equipment ordering guidance
* Edge-u-cation training
* Cultural orientation
* Operations manual
* Periodic evaluations
* Ongoing support
Additional information and qualifications:
Single-Store and Multi-Unit Development Agreements are available depending upon prospective Franchise Partner qualifications as well as geographical considerations. Prospective Franchise Partner groups need to designate an Operating Partner who must live in the area to be developed and possess prior restaurant or retail management and supervision experience commensurate with the number of restaurants to be developed. An Operating Partner may also be a member of the Franchise Group. A full Franchise Application, including a Personal Financial Statement, needs to be submitted for each member of the Franchise Partner group. If the Operating Partner is a separate individual, they will need to submit a full resume with work history and skill-set qualifications.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Donatos franchised business is $386,500 to $698,900. This includes $40,500 to $42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If this is the second Donatos franchised business, you choose to receive additional training services or you hire a Donatos Manager for your franchised business, you must pay the franchisor an additional $15,000 to $40,000.

The company continues to franchise throughout the Midwest, South and Southeast, with franchised locations serving pizza, subs, salads and desserts.
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"Entrepreneur

#181 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#313 in Franchise 500 for 2021.