Pizza Factory vs Donatos Pizzeria Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Pizza Factory Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Investment $372,000 - $562,000$386,500 - $698,900
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 3%5%
Year Founded 19791963
Year Franchised 19851991
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee $5000-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Pizza Factory Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
Pizza Factory Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 214 hours Classroom Training: 26 hours Additional Training: At training store On-The-Job Training: 454 hours Classroom Training: 4 hours
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures 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 National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development 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 Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 10

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Expansion Plans
 
Pizza Factory Franchise
Donatos Pizzeria Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Pizza Factory

Family owned and operated since its founding in 1979, Oakhurst, California-based Pizza Factory prepares pizzas, pasta, calzones and other favorites for its customers throughout the western United States and China. When Danny and Carol Wheeler opened the first restaurant near Yosemite National Park, it was called Danny's Red Devil Pizza. A name change and a few years later, the first franchise was opened with the help of Ron and Joyce Willey. Pizza Factory franchises are offered in three sizes - full, mid and express. Full and mid-sized restaurants can either stand-alone or operate within large strip and shopping centers. Express locations can operate within resorts, malls, convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores.

Seeking new franchise units in the following states:
Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington

Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee
#268 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.