Houston welcomes its first Donatos Pizza as local entrepreneur launches multi-unit expansion of the iconic Ohio brand
ATASCOCITA, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Donatos Pizza, the premium pizza franchise famous for its abundant Edge to Edge® toppings, is expanding into one of the nation’s fastest-growing restaurant markets with its first-ever Houston location. The restaurant, located at 15906 Woodland Hills Drive, Suite 200 in Humble, Texas, is scheduled to open on November 14, marking a major milestone in the brand’s Texas growth. To celebrate the opening, the restaurant plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant will be owned and operated by Tyler Wheatley, a Houston native and University of Houston graduate who signed a three-store development agreement to introduce Donatos to Northeast Houston. The Humble location marks not only Wheatley’s first Donatos restaurant, but also the first Donatos Pizza location in the Houston market.
“After spending more than 20 years in technology, I was ready to build something of my own and create a business that could become a true family legacy. What drew me to Donatos more than anything was how closely the company’s values align with my own,” said Wheatley. “I believe in having a purpose beyond serving great food, investing in people and making a positive impact in the community. Donatos’ commitment to serving others, supporting families and team members, and making people’s days a little better really resonated with me. And, of course, there’s the pizza. The Edge to Edge® concept is unique, the product is outstanding, and I can’t wait to introduce it to Houston.”
The newest store is in a rapidly developing commercial corridor serving Humble, Atascocita, and Lake Houston communities. Wheatley plans to develop additional Donatos locations throughout Northeast Houston in the coming years as part of his three-store development agreement.
A lifelong Houstonian and University of Houston graduate, Wheatley brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience to Donatos, having managed large-scale global software development teams throughout his career. Before entering the tech industry, he worked as a waiter, bartender, and helped open restaurants, experiences that sparked a lasting passion for hospitality. Now, Wheatley is turning that passion into a family business, with his two daughters already expressing interest in joining the venture as it grows.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tyler to the Donatos family as we continue expanding across Texas,” said Kevin King, President and CEO of Donatos Pizza. “Tyler brings a unique combination of business leadership, operational experience, and passion for hospitality. His commitment to building a family business and introducing Donatos to Houston makes him an outstanding franchise partner, and we’re excited to bring our Edge to Edge® pizza experience to this community.”
For more information about Donatos Pizza, please visit https://donatos.com/
About Donatos Pizza
Donatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, is a family-owned business known for its famous thin-crust pizzas with abundant toppings spread Edge to Edge®. Headquartered in Columbus, Donatos and its franchise partners operate over 177 stores. Additionally, Donatos Pizza is proudly served in over 250 non-traditional locations nationwide, including select Red Robin restaurants. Committed to quality, community, and customer satisfaction, Donatos Pizza has received numerous awards and accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence and innovation. For more information about Donatos Pizza and franchising opportunities, visit www.donatosfranchise.com.
Contact: Maddy Reda | Franchise Elevator PR | [email protected]
SOURCE Donatos Pizza
