Donatos Pizza Set to Open in Panama City
This concept will focus on carryout, delivery, and quick service.
PANAMA CITY, FL — George Schempf is opening Donatos Pizza at 840 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405 with his wife and co-owner, Chris Doss. Schempf told Business Debut the restaurant is targeting an opening around August 1st.
What to Expect
Donatos Pizza is a family-owned brand founded in 1963 and based in Columbus, Ohio. Schempf told Business Debut there are about 460 locations across the country, and the Panama City restaurant will be among the brand’s first locations in Florida.
Guests can expect a fast-casual setup with limited seating inside. Schempf told Business Debut the restaurant will have nine seats, a pickup window, and delivery service, with a focus on carryout and quick meals.
Menu and Vision
The menu will center on Donatos’ thin crust, party-cut style pizza, along with subs, salads, and wings. Schempf told Business Debut he chose the brand because of its focus on quality, consistency, and support from a family-owned company.
Schempf, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and previously owned a restaurant before a long career in real estate, said the brand was also familiar to him because he and Doss are originally from Ohio.
As for his personal favorites, Schempf told Business Debut he especially enjoys the cauliflower crust pizza and the brand’s thin crust. He said the cauliflower crust stands out from others he has tried and that the thin crust appeals to him because it is lighter.
Schempf also said he is excited to bring the community something new. “I think we are very excited to bring a new pizza concept to the area,” he told Business Debut, adding that he has heard positive feedback from people looking for “something new, something different.”
Opening Timeline
The team is planning a full reconstruction of the former PanaRoma space in Stanford Station Plaza.
Schempf told Business Debut demolition and construction were expected to begin shortly, with the opening currently targeting around August 1st.
Hours
Schempf told Business Debut the restaurant plans to be open seven days a week, starting at 11 a.m. Closing hours have not yet been announced.
Follow for More
A local Facebook and Instagram presence is planned, but social media pages had not been announced at the time of the interview. The brand’s website is available now.
Ross McWaters
