Calzones, loaded tater tots and wings are not the only good things coming from the recently opened D.P. Dough, a calzone franchise in Bowling Green. 

The past few weeks have been kind to Mark Crumpton, owner of the new store. With numbers 25 percent above the projected figures, business is going well after a well-publicized grand opening. 

D.P. Dough gave away free calzones during its grand opening, in return for customers posting, tweeting and tagging D.P. Dough on various social media outlets in order to spread the word. Crumpton recognized his grand opening strategy helped to give the new business some much needed publicity. The marketing strategy propelled the company forward with business tripling after the giveaway.

“It’s a matter of letting our food be an ambassador for our company,” said Crumpton.

While the giveaway did draw attention to the new calzone restaurant, Crumpton credits the company’s success thus far to the customers who are helping spread the word about D.P. Dough.

“In today’s world of social media, a happy customer can bring you in many more customers. When it comes down to it, the best advertising we can get is happy customers. We focus strongly on a good customer experience, good food and fast and friendly service. We work very hard to accomplish that,” Crumpton said.

D.P. Dough’s slogan is that they are “open crazy late.” Open until 3 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, D.P. Dough caters to students. D.P. Dough also offers delivery to the dorms.

Bowling Green is just one of many college towns that calls itself home to a D.P. Dough franchise. According to the D.P. Dough website, the first store opened in 1987. 

Since then, 24 stores have opened up in college towns across America, the most successful being in Athens, Ohio, home to Ohio University. Crumpton felt Bowling Green was the perfect location for another store front.

However, D.P. Dough wants to not only be a stop for students on campus, but would like to gain business from the citizens of Bowling Green as well. Crumpton recognized Bowling Green is not a college town, but rather a town with a college.

Crumpton said, “We understand the importance of people beyond the college community. We want to earn the business of local patrons. We want to be a great restaurant that earns its way into the community.”