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Red Robin plans to bring Donatos to about 120 locations in 2021.
When Red Robin contacted Donatos Pizza roughly two years ago, the Ohio-based brand, understandably, proceeded with some caution. The chain was deep into its own growth prospects and recalled a brief, yet erratic run under the colossal umbrella of McDonald’s Corporation. Donatos, founded in 1963 when Ohio State sophomore Jim Grote bought a small pizza shop in Columbus, Ohio, from a seminarian for $1,300, was acquired by the fast-food giant in 1999. At the time, McDonald’s was exploring life outside burgers. It made an investment in Chipotle a year earlier that helped the fast casual grow from 14 locations to nearly 500 within seven years. It also bought Boston Market in May 2000.