Pizza Delivery Service: Domino's

When Tom Monaghan lost several thousand dollars to a swindler following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he headed back home to Ann Arbor, Michigan and lived with his brother, James. Both boys had been placed in foster homes while growing up in the 1940’s, because their widowed mother could not afford to keep them. In his final year of high school Tom did stay with a paternal aunt, but was soon on his own after graduation.

Brother James had become a United States postal carrier and soon learned that the owner of the pizzeria he delivered mail to wanted out. He put a bug in Tom’s ear about entrepreneurship and together the brothers gave a down payment of $75, and with a loan for $500, they became the new owners of Domi-Nick’s Pizza. That was in 1960-the year that Tom Monaghan was introduced to his life’s work.

In just eight months James decided to trade his share of the business to Tom for a second hand car. As sole owner Tom renamed the business via a suggestion of one of his delivery drivers, to Domino’s Pizza, Inc. This was due to the fact that the previous owner still had ownership of the name Domi-Nick’s and Tom’s ‘lease’ on the use of the name ran out.

The original Domino’s Pizza had two sizes of pizza, several toppings, and one beverage: Coca-Cola. It was not until 1989 that the deep-dish pizza was introduced. Today, there are at over 15 types of pizzas of all specialties. There are also many other food items to choose from which never existed in the initial phase of the enterprise.

1. I love the thin crust pizza…it does not taste like cardboard like some other pizzas.

2. Fast delivery and guaranteed to be delivered hot.

3. The prices are competitive and they often have specials.

4. I like the flavor; there are choices with the type of crust flavor as well.

5. They have a large variety of foods to choose from the menu.

6. In our town we have a choice of dining in or carry out.

For most areas the rating I gave to Domino's Pizza Delivery is a 4. I did not give it a 5 star because there have been a few less than satisfactory deliveries, although management has handled all complaints well. In addition...it is a fast food.

Although considered a fast food, there are times when ordering a pizza meets the family’s needs either with a meal gone wrong or just a craving that we all have. We don’t often eat franchised pizza opting instead to either make one from start up dough or going to an Italian restaurant that has pizza on the menu. However, when we do get in the ‘pizza mood’ we order Domino’s.

Having grown up in Michigan I’ve been aware of the pizza mogul, Tom Monaghan, all of my life. I’ve heard his rags to riches story about growing up in foster homes and becoming one of the most prominent figures in Michigan. After all, he did have enough money to buy the baseball team: Detroit Tigers…that has to be impressive, right?

But, this high energy man was more than successful…he brought a service to people for over 50 years, beating out all of his competitors except for Pizza Hut. Yes, although Domino’s may not be number one on the books, it is number one in our home.

1960-Tom and James Monaghan buy Domi-Nick’s.

1965-Tom renames the pizzeria Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

1967-Ypsilanti, Michigan opens the first franchise.

1968-Burlington, Vermont opens the first franchise outside of MI.

1978-The 200^th store is opened.

1983-First international store opens in Manitoba, Canada: in Winnipeg.

1985-First franchise to open in the United Kingdom: in Luton.

1988-First franchise to open in South America: Bogota, Columbia

1995-First franchise to open in Africa: Egypt

1996-Domino’s Pizza gets its own website: www.dominos.com

1997-International franchises hit 5 continents and 1500 stores.

1998-Tom Monaghan retires and sells 93% to Bain Capital. Name changes to Domino’s.

2000-Almost 2,000 stores are open outside of the U.S.

2001-New ad campaign: “Get the door, it’s Domino’s.

2010-Domino’s celebrates it’s 50^th anniversary.

Domino's boasts the largest worldwide pizza chain.

1. North America: all 50 states of the U.S., Canada, Mexico

2. Central America: 9 countries

3. South America: 10 countries

4. Europe: 22 countries

5. Asia: 8 countries

6. Oceania: 2 countries