Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Show Notes

This week I chat with Jane Grote Abell, a second generation franchise leader.  Herstory is not about how franchising found her, it’s how she was born into it the restaurant and franchise business along the way, had the golden opportunity to sell her company to the golden arches, that’s right McDonald’s and then double down about four years later and actually buy it back.  We’re talking Donato’s today, with Jane Grote Abell, an amazing advocate for women in business, and philanthropy.  Today, she is a founding family member and Chairwoman of the Board at Donato’s Pizza. 

Jim Grote founded Donatos as a sophomore in college. His philosophy was simple: 'To make the best pizza and to treat others the way he would like to be treated.' Jim built trust with his customers and a sense of goodwill in the neighborhood. And, with Jim’s very first restaurant connected to the Grote house, young daughter Jane, very much grew up in the family business.