As Donatos CEO Tom Krouse announces retirement, company names Kevin King as his successor
Donatos CEO Tom Krouse, who joined the Columbus-based company during its brief life as a division of McDonald's and led it through a period of growth and innovation, announced plans Wednesday to retire this fall.
“I feel like the luckiest guy alive to have had the opportunity to lead a company with amazing people and an awesome mission,” said Krouse, who joined Donatos in 2000 as its senior vice president of marketing. He became president and CEO in 2010 and shed the president title in 2022.
The man who replaced him as president, Kevin King, is to become CEO when Krouse's retirement becomes official in October. King served as Donatos' vice president of development from 1990 to 2003 and returned two years ago after stints at Papa Murphy's and Smoothie King.
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"His extensive expertise in operations and growth within the franchise industry, paired with his deep understanding of our company mission and values, makes him the ideal person to continue building upon the legacy that Tom has built," Donatos chairwoman and chief purpose officer Jane Grote Abell said in the company's announcement.
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Grote Abell also praised the outgoing CEO, who is her husband.
"Family has been the heart and soul of our business since 1963, and Tom has embodied this throughout his tenure," she said. "He has not only been a remarkable leader, but also a loving husband, father and grandfather. Tom’s impact will continue to resonate, shaping the foundation of our company for generations to come.”
Donatos started in 1963 when founder Jim Grote purchased a South Side pizza shop for $1,300. Today, there are 178 Donatos restaurants and 276 other venues, including Red Robin burger locations, that sell its pizza. The chain recently expanded into Texas as part of its plan to add 150 locations this year.
In 2019, when he was chosen as central Ohio's CEO of the Year by Columbus CEO, Krouse was asked by the magazine what he wanted his legacy to be at Donatos.
"It may be a bigger company, but I still want it to have a family feel to it," he said.
"There's discipline and process for sure, but we're also very transparent, and we're open and honest with each other. I would want to make sure that kind of feeling exists, because I think that's what will separate a company like ours from some that are just trying to take advantage of a business opportunity or market position or things like that.
"There's a lot of angst in the world and people are stressed, and your job can be a refuge and not necessarily just another stressor," he concluded.
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