In 1963, Ohio State University sophomore Jim Grote purchased a restaurant space located on the south side of Columbus, Ohio, for $1,300 and opened the first Donatos Pizza. Now, the pizza chain has nearly 200 locations in 10 states. It also has operations in special venues, including the Ohio State University stadium and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
In 1991, the Donatos Pizza in Zanesville, Ohio, opened as the company’s first franchise....