Domino’s Pizza is a household name in the pizza industry, and it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of them. Here are some interesting facts about Domino’s Pizza that you may not have known:
Domino’s Pizza was founded in 1960 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, by Tom Monaghan and his brother, James.
1 Tom Monaghan and his brother, James, purchased a small pizza store called “Dominick’s” in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and renamed it “Domino’s.”
Initially, the brothers planned to split the business, but James traded his half of the company to Tom for a used Volkswagen Beetle.
Tom then became the sole owner of Domino’s and grew the business into the global pizza chain it is today.
The first Domino’s Pizza franchise was opened in 1967 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
2 Tom Monaghan and his brother James originally had plans to expand the business through company-owned stores, but they eventually decided to franchise the business.
Today, Domino’s Pizza is one of the largest franchise pizza chains in the world, with thousands of locations in over 90 countries.
Today, there are more than 17,000 Domino’s Pizza locations in over 90 countries around the world.
3 The company has grown significantly since its founding in 1960 and has become a global brand known for its fast and convenient pizza delivery service.
Domino’s is the second-largest pizza chain in the world, behind only Pizza Hut.
4 However, it’s worth noting that the two chains are often neck-and-neck in terms of global market share, and the gap between them can vary depending on the region.
In recent years, Domino’s has been growing rapidly, and some analysts have predicted that it may eventually surpass Pizza Hut to become the world’s largest pizza chain.
In 2020, Domino’s reported global retail sales of over $16 billion.
5 Which was an increase from the previous year. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company saw strong demand for its delivery services, which helped to drive its sales growth.
The company has also continued to expand its presence in new markets around the world, which has contributed to its overall success.
The Domino’s Pizza logo features three dots arranged in a triangle, which is a nod to the company’s early history.
6 According to the company, the three dots represent the first three Domino’s locations, which were originally planned to be a restaurant chain.
However, after one of the locations burned down, the plans changed, and the company pivoted to focus on pizza delivery.
Despite this change in direction, the three dots have remained an iconic part of the Domino’s brand and are instantly recognizable to many people around the world.
Domino’s is known for its “30 minutes or less” delivery guarantee.
7 Which promised that customers would receive their pizzas within 30 minutes of placing an order or the pizza would be free.
The guarantee was originally introduced in the 1980s as a way to differentiate the company from its competitors and to highlight its focus on fast and efficient delivery. However, the company eventually discontinued the guarantee in the 1990s after concerns were raised about the safety of its drivers.
Today, while Domino’s still strives to provide fast and reliable delivery service, it no longer offers a formal “30 minutes or less” guarantee.
In 2009, Domino’s introduced a new pizza recipe.
8 The new recipe was the result of a two-year development process that involved extensive research and testing, as well as feedback from customers.
The changes to the recipe included a new crust, new sauce, and new cheese blend, and the company launched a major advertising campaign to promote the new recipe.
The effort was successful, and the new recipe helped to drive sales growth for the company.
Domino’s menu includes a variety of pizzas, sides, desserts, and drinks.
9 The company’s pizza menu includes classic options like pepperoni, sausage, and cheese, as well as specialty pizzas like the Philly Cheese Steak pizza and the Memphis BBQ Chicken pizza.
In addition to pizza, the company also offers sides like breadsticks, chicken wings, and salads, as well as desserts like lava cakes and cinnamon twists.
To accompany its menu items, the company also offers a variety of soft drinks and other beverages.
Over the years, Domino’s Pizza has experimented with a variety of unique pizza toppings in different markets around the world.
10 Some of the more unusual toppings that the company has offered include smoked salmon, tofu, and shrimp.
These toppings were typically offered as part of limited-time promotions or in specific markets where there was a demand for more unusual pizza options.
However, it’s worth noting that the majority of Domino’s pizza menu items are classic options like pepperoni, sausage, and cheese, which are popular with a wide range of customers.
Domino’s has a mobile app that allows customers to order and track their pizza delivery in real-time.
11 The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and allows customers to customize their pizza order, track its progress from the store to their doorstep, and rate their delivery experience.
The app also offers various promotions and deals that are exclusive to app users, making it a popular choice for many customers.
In addition to its mobile app, the company also allows customers to order online through its website or by phone.
Domino’s Pizza began testing drone deliveries in New Zealand as part of a partnership with a local drone company called Flirtey.
12 The tests involved using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver pizzas to customers’ homes, with the aim of providing faster and more efficient delivery service.
The tests were successful, and the company has continued to explore the use of drones and other advanced delivery technologies in other markets around the world.
However, regulatory hurdles and other challenges have limited the widespread adoption of drone deliveries for pizza and other goods.
The company has also experimented with autonomous pizza delivery vehicles.
13 In 2016, the company partnered with Ford Motor Company to test the use of self-driving cars for pizza delivery in Michigan, and in 2017, the company teamed up with a robotics company called Starship Technologies to test the use of autonomous delivery robots in Europe.
These tests were aimed at exploring the potential of new technologies to improve delivery efficiency and customer experience.
However, it’s worth noting that the use of autonomous vehicles for commercial deliveries is still in the early stages of development and faces a number of regulatory and logistical challenges.
Domino’s Pizza has made a commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
14 One of the company’s key initiatives is a focus on recycling, including efforts to reduce waste and increase the recycling of paper, cardboard, and other materials.
The company has also taken steps to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings, including the use of LED lighting and other energy-saving technologies. In addition, Domino’s has worked to reduce food waste by optimizing its inventory management and donating excess food to local charities and food banks.
The company has also implemented a number of other sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients from sustainable suppliers. Overall, these initiatives demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability and its efforts to operate in a more responsible and environmentally-friendly manner.
In 2020, Domino’s announced a new partnership with Nuro, a robotics company, to launch autonomous pizza delivery in select markets.
15 They are a robotics company specializing in autonomous delivery vehicles. The partnership is aimed at exploring the use of self-driving cars for pizza delivery in select markets, with the goal of improving delivery efficiency and customer experience.
The partnership builds on Domino’s existing investments in advanced delivery technologies, such as drones and autonomous delivery robots. As part of the partnership, Nuro’s autonomous vehicles will be used to deliver pizzas to customers’ homes, with a focus on providing faster and more convenient delivery options.
The partnership is part of Domino’s broader strategy to innovate and improve its delivery capabilities, and underscores the company’s commitment to exploring new technologies to enhance its operations.
