Ohio-based pizza chain closes its first Dayton restaurant in 25 years

Store on North Main Street is the first Donato’s closure in the company’s 25 years in the Miami Valley

A Donato’s Pizza restaurant that had operated for more than two decades in the Five Oaks Neighborhood of Dayton — and which had a national chain competitor directly across the street — has shut its doors for good.

>> 2 new local Pizza Huts now hiring, gearing up to open in coming weeks

>> Get a free cheeseburger at Wendy's this month: Here's how

The restaurant at 1805 N. Main St. closed its doors the night of Sunday, Sept. 9. It is the first local store closing for the Columbus-based Donato’s Pizza chain during its 25 years in the Dayton region, franchise owner Doug Galusha told this news outlet the morning of Sept. 11.

“No additional closings are planned,” Galusha said.

>> PHOTOS: Did we spot you at this year’s Italian Fall Festa?

“We opened the Five Oaks restaurant in 1997 so it was a difficult business decision to close, but the decision was based on an evaluation process that has been ongoing for some time,” the local franchisee said.

>> PHOTOS: Did we spot you getting a taste of Egypt at Dayton’s annual Egyptian Festival?

All of the employees of the Five Oaks Donato’s have been offered positions at other Dayton-area Donato’s restaurants, which includes one to the north at 5120 N. Main St. in Harrison Twp. A sign on the door referred customers to that location as well as the Belmont Donato’s restaurant at 2800 Wayne Ave.

A Domino’s Pizza carryout is located across the street from the Donato’s that closed.

>> Two Winans chocolate shops to be sold

Donato’s also operates restaurants in Riverside, Kettering, Beavercreek, Huber Heights, West Carrollton, Centerville, Fairborn, Englewood, Troy, Springfield and the Centerville/Sugarcreek Twp. area.

About the Author