The Rise of Domino's Pizza

    By Storybird

    The Rise of Domino's Pizza cover image

    01 Oct, 2023

    The story of Domino's Pizza begins in 1960 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Two brothers, Tom and James Monaghan, decided to buy a small pizza shop named DomiNick's.

    After eight months, James traded his half of the business to Tom for a used Volkswagen Beetle. Tom, now the sole owner, was determined to expand his business.

    In 1965, Tom renamed the business to Domino's Pizza, Inc. The name was inspired by the domino piece, hinting at the company's future expansion.

    Tom introduced a new pizza delivery system and logo in 1967. The three dots on the domino represented the three existing stores.

    Domino's opened its first franchise store in 1967 in Ypsilanti. The growth was slow but steady, and by 1978, Domino's had 200 stores.

    Tom Monaghan's vision was not limited to the United States. In 1983, Domino's opened its first international store in Winnipeg, Canada.

    That same year, Domino's reached another milestone by opening its 1,000th store. This rapid expansion was partly due to Tom's innovative franchising model.

    In 1985, Domino's opened its first store in Japan, marking its entry into the Asian market. The Japanese market responded positively to the American pizza taste.

    In the late 1980s, Domino's introduced the "30-minute guarantee," which promised customers their pizzas within half an hour or they would receive it for free.

    This marketing strategy boosted sales significantly. However, it was discontinued in 1993 due to concerns about the safety of delivery drivers.

    In 1998, after 38 years at the helm, Tom Monaghan decided to retire and sold 93% of the company to Bain Capital for about $1 billion.

    Under new management, Domino's started diversifying its menu. In 2000, it introduced the Domino's HeatWave bag, designed to keep pizzas hot during delivery.

    In 2004, Domino's went public, and its shares started trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The company continued to innovate and grow.

    In 2008, Domino's introduced an online pizza ordering service. This new digital approach greatly improved the company's reach and efficiency.

    In 2010, Domino's underwent a significant rebranding. It revamped its pizza recipe and started to focus more on quality and customer satisfaction.

    The rebranding was a success. Domino's sales soared, and the company started gaining a larger market share. By 2011, Domino's had over 9,000 stores worldwide.

    In 2014, Domino's introduced the "Pizza Profile" feature on its app, allowing customers to save their favorite orders and make ordering even easier.

    In 2015, Domino's launched the "AnyWare" ordering platform, enabling customers to order from various devices and platforms like Twitter and Google Home.

    In 2017, Domino's reached another milestone by opening its 14,000th store. The company also started testing delivery via drones and autonomous vehicles.

    Today, Domino's is one of the largest and most popular pizza delivery companies in the world. It operates in over 85 countries and has over 17,000 stores.

    Domino's has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Ypsilanti. It's a testament to Tom Monaghan's vision and determination.

    The company's success lies in its ability to adapt to changing market trends and consumer demands. From introducing the 30-minute guarantee to launching an online ordering service, Domino's has always been at the forefront of innovation.

    Despite numerous challenges and competition, Domino's has managed to maintain its position in the fast-food industry. It has become a global brand synonymous with delicious pizzas and quick delivery.

    Domino's continues to innovate, focusing on digital technology to enhance the customer experience. The company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction remains unchanged.

    The story of Domino's is a testament to the power of vision, determination, and innovation. It's an inspiring journey of a small pizza shop that has become a global sensation.

    The Rise of Domino's Pizza