The passion that brought Donatos Pizza back to Fort Mill
Updated: Aug 29
When Cody and Lexy Weaver moved to Fort Mill from Ohio, they knew one thing was missing: the delicious thin crust and edge-to-edge flavor of Donatos Pizza.
Hailing from Dublin, Ohio, not far from where Donatos was founded in 1963 in Columbus, Cody grew up eating the Midwest favorite. His entrepreneurial spirit drove him to find a way to bring a piece of home to Fort Mill so that everyone else could enjoy the premium pizza experience Donatos offers.
Lucky for us, it recently opened at The Overlook at Gold Hill at 1034 Gold Hill Road. Their Grand Opening on July 9th was a smashing success. With cars wrapped around the building and phone lines jammed, it was clear they were welcomed with open arms.
This isn't the first time York County has been home to a Donatos though. There used to be several between Charlotte and Rock Hill, with the last one in Charlotte closing in 2019. The community is thrilled for the comeback and this fuels Cody's energy to make it the best experience in town. The 33-year-old go-getter plans to expand in York County and possibly Charlotte once again.
He says, "It's all about our staff. We’ve built a strong team who genuinely cares about customer service and providing a quality product each and every time.”
Cody has done just that. Even with his full-time job as vice president of the footwear brand Dolce Vita, Cody ensures quality time is spent at his Donatos location, whether it's in the kitchen with his team, cleaning tables, or meeting with customers, he goes to great lengths to ensure a positive customer experience.
Giving Back
Good pizza is just as important to the Weavers as giving back to the community, which falls in line with Donatos' core values and rich history of community involvement and philanthropy.
Their commitment to this community shines through their hard work and team spirit. Donatos Fort Mill has already donated many meals to area events and organizations and looks forward to partnering with local schools, sports teams, and organizations to provide support and foster community spirit.
About Donatos
Founded in 1963 by 19-year-old Jim Grote, Donatos has grown from a single shop in Columbus, Ohio, to a beloved pizza chain with locations across the United States. Known for their emphasis on quality and community, Donatos continues to expand while maintaining their founding principles.
Grote's mission has always been "To promote goodwill through product and service, principles and people." Click here to learn how they are making a difference.
8 Fun Facts about Donatos
Founded on Family Values: The company name comes from the Latin word "Donatus," meaning "to give a good thing," reflecting the company's commitment to quality and community service.
Pepperoni Power: Their signature large pepperoni pizza features 100 pieces of pepperoni, making it a favorite among pepperoni lovers.
Edge-to-Edge®: The concept of Edge-to-Edge® pizza, where toppings cover the entire surface of the pizza right to the edge, was pioneered by Donatos.
High-Quality Ingredients: In addition to their dough being made fresh daily, Donatos uses hand-cut fresh vegetables, high-quality meats, and real, aged Wisconsin cheese.
Expanding Reach: Today, Donatos has more than 160 locations across several states, and continues to expand.
Family-Owned to Big Business: In 1999, McDonald's bought Donatos to expand its pizza offerings, but in 2003, the Grote family bought back the company, allowing Donatos to maintain its original values and focus on quality.
Online Ordering Pioneers: Donatos was an early adopter of online ordering in the pizza industry. They launched their online ordering system in the early 2000s, simplifying the way customers get pizza delivered.
Nutritional Options: Donatos offers a range of options for health-conscious customers from salads and veggie pizzas, to gluten-free crust.
Donatos Pizza’s combination of quality, community focus, and innovation makes it a standout in the crowded pizza industry. Whether you're a fan of their loaded pepperoni pizzas or their unique specialty pies, there’s a lot to love about Donatos.
For more information about the Fort Mill location, visit the Donatos Pizza website or follow them on social media for the latest updates.
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