McDonald's to buy US pizza chain
01 January 2000
McDonald's Corporation in the USA has agreed to buy 143-strong pizza chain Donatos Pizza for an undisclosed sum.
The move marks yet another diversification for the group. In March it acquired Aroma, the London-based coffee-bar chain, and last year it bought Chipotle Mexican Grill, a chain of about 20 Mexican restaurants in Colorado.
Jack Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of McDonald's, said that the deal will give the company a "great opportunity to learn more about another quick-service restaurant segment".
Donatos owns 60% of the chain and the rest are franchised. The majority are in Ohio but it also has restaurants in six other states. It is understood that the restaurants will remain separate from McDonald's locations.
