The former director of a men’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, has found a new career in pizza franchising through Columbus, Ohio-based Donatos Pizza.
Donatos Pizza is building its presence in Kentucky with the April 29 opening of a location at 1511 Ring Rd #100 in Elizabethtown. Franchise owner Phillip Justice is a Donatos fan from way back, the company said.
Justice is a Kentucky native who has kept community service and compassion in the forefront of his professional journey. As he sought career options with a better work-life balance and upward mobility, Justice decided that franchising with Donatos Pizza would not only help him achieve his goals, but would also allow him to use his resources as a business owner to support his community in a bigger, more meaningful way.
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“I always say that Donatos Pizza and I have had quite a long and passionate love affair,” Justice said. “I’ve been in love with this pizza since I was a teenager and vividly recall driving all the way to the Lexington store for a slice. I would drive as far as I needed to, even when I was on a road trip or didn’t live in the area, to get my hands on some Donatos.”
“I also had my first date and subsequently fell in love with my husband at a pizzeria,” Justice added. “As our relationship grew, we realized we shared a Donatos obsession, and it eventually became our go-to date spot over the years. I hope to facilitate a space where everyone can bond and make memories over some phenomenal food, just like I have.”
In keeping with Donatos founder Jim Grote’s tradition of agape capitalism—following the Bible’s golden rule in business—Justice said he’s eager to form meaningful community partnerships with non-profits, student groups and other local organizations. With the new store set to bring at least 50 jobs into the area, Phillip hopes to gradually increase this number as he opens more locations throughout the region.
“I am thrilled to have Phillip spearheading Donatos’ foray into Elizabethtown. It’s a quaint, pleasant area with a culinarily-curious community that embodies Southern hospitality and appreciates locally owned businesses,” said Kevin King, Donatos president and CEO. “For Phillip, it’s about more than just pizza; it’s about providing a space to create special memories and bond over a good meal with good people. Phillip embodies these values better than anyone, and I am confident he will bring something exceptional to the area.”
Donatos Pizza was founded in 1963 when Grote, then an Ohio State sophomore, bought a small pizza shop in Columbus, Ohio. Donatos serves oven-baked wings and sub sandwiches, appetizers and salads in addition to its Edge to Edge pizza, which offer abundant toppings that go right to the edge of every thin-crust pizza. Today, Donatos Pizza has expanded to over 470 locations across 29 states.
