At Donatos, pizza is the centerpiece, but family is the foundation. For the Byrne, Curry, and Riney families, owning the two Owensboro Donatos locations has been a way to create opportunity for their kids, bring people together, and build a business rooted in community.
Marketing Director Leanna Byrne said the restaurants are intentionally family-focused. Generations have grown up inside the kitchens and dining rooms — learning to fold boxes, manning ovens, and eventually managing stores.
“We wanted this business to give our kids and future generations a head start,” Byrne said. “Even if they choose other careers, they see firsthand the value of hard work and giving back.”
The local franchise ownership is split among three families: Sean and Jennifer Byrne, Angela and Jason Curry, and Mark and Liane Riney. All three were raised in Owensboro or Hancock County and remain invested in the area.
Byrne said nearly everyone who works in their stores is family, or soon feels like it. Even those without direct ties become part of the close-knit group.
“Some of our managers aren’t technically related, but they’ve been with us from the start. If you work here, you’re around family, and you’re treated like family,” she said.
The family-first mindset also extends to the younger generation. Byrne laughed as she recalled how her 6-year-old folds boxes whenever he’s in the store. Technically, employees must be at least 14 to start working, but many kids are exposed to the business long before then.
“That’s really the point,” she said. “We want them to see the value of work, the importance of customer service, and the bigger picture of giving back.”
Byrne said the name Donatos itself means “to give a good thing,” adding that the phrase has become more than a slogan. It’s a philosophy that guides both their business model and their family values.
“It’s not just about what happens in the restaurants,” she said. “We want to make sure we give a good thing in the community too, whether that’s through donations, sponsorships, or just showing up to support others. And raising our kids in that environment — where giving back is normal — is really important to us.”
The Owensboro Donatos opened its first store in January 2017 on West Parrish Avenue. A second followed on New Hartford Road, and the family has also expanded into Evansville. Byrne said the steady growth has been possible because of community support and the way customers connect with the brand’s balance of quality food and hometown ownership.
“Our hope is that people don’t just come here because it’s Donatos,” Byrne said. “We hope they come here because they know it’s a local family behind it, and that we care about the same things they do.”
That community pride is also why Donatos signed on for Owensboro Times Pizza Week. Their entry, the “Triple Triple Double,” is a 12-inch thin-crust pizza built for bold flavors. It starts with a garlic Parmesan base, topped with deli-shaved ham, chicken, and bacon. Smoked provolone, mozzarella, and Romano cheeses pile on the richness, while ranch and Mike’s Hot Honey drizzles finish the pie with a mix of cool and sweet heat. Served party cut, it even comes with crunchy dill pickles on the side for an optional extra bite.
“The name was a nod to our love of sports,” Byrne said. “We show a lot of local and college games at both locations, so it fits our vibe perfectly.”
Byrne said Pizza Week has been a chance to stretch their creativity while celebrating Owensboro’s dining scene. For Donatos, the event is another way to do what they’ve always aimed for — serve good food, support the community, and give a good thing.
