Fox's Pizza Den vs Donatos Pizzeria Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Fox's Pizza Den Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Investment $101,800 - $236,250$386,500 - $698,900
Franchise Fee $15,000$30,000
Royalty Fee $400/mo.5%
Advertising Fee -5%
Year Founded 19711963
Year Franchised 19741991
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Fox's Pizza Den Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Fox's Pizza Den Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees Yes/No-/Yes
Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
Equipment No/No-/Yes
Inventory No/No-/Yes
Receivables No/No-/Yes
Payroll No/No-/Yes

Training & Support
 
Fox's Pizza Den Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 140 hours On-The-Job Training: 454 hours Classroom Training: 4 hours
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software 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 Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

Absentee ownership allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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Expansion Plans
 
Fox's Pizza Den Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Fox's Pizza Den

Jim Fox started working with pizza when he was 12, hanging around a local pizza shop filling soda machines and folding pizza boxes. In 1971, at age 24, he started Fox's Pizza Den in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania. With $500, a rented storeroom and a few pieces of used equipment (rescued from a snow-covered Pittsburgh scrap yard), he began to build his empire. In 1973, Fox's Pizza Den started offering home delivery. Since 1974, the company has grown to over 150 franchises. Fox's Pizza is a family-owned and -operated company that offers toppings such as pepperoni, sweet peppers, hot banana peppers, beef, bacon, anchovies, black olives, pineapple and more. Fox's also offers stromboli, gourmet pizzas, hoagies and wedgies (a sandwich served on pizza crust). Jim Fox assisted with Carnegie Mellon University's robotic team in developing the country's first pizza-making robot to help the physically disabled own and operate their own shops.

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