Domino’s is a global pizza chain that knows how to deliver. Founded in 1960, the company has mastered franchising, supply chain control and delivery innovation like no other. It may not have the best pizza, but it does know how to make the most of its assets and meet customers wherever they are — or on whatever device they happen to be using.
The chain is best known for its pizza delivery service, but it has a much deeper commitment to meeting consumers’ needs. Its digital and delivery infrastructure was built to be nimble, and the company invests in continuous UX improvement and technological innovation. It also focuses on smarter store placement, optimizing routes and making better use of data in decision-making, all designed to make its operations as efficient as possible. This approach has helped to drive a significant shift towards online ordering, which now makes up around 85% of Domino’s orders in the US.
In addition, the company is working hard to improve its in-store experience and deliver more consistent products across the brand. This has been a long-term focus for the business, and one that is starting to pay off. Domino’s same-store sales increased in 2024, and the company continues to deliver strong margins for its franchisees. The company’s asset-light, franchise-driven model enables it to generate substantial free cash flow and returns it to shareholders through regular dividends and share repurchases.
It’s impossible to talk about domino without talking about its origins. Founder Tom Monaghan bought the first Domino’s location in Michigan in 1960, and spent decades building a pizza empire that spanned ten countries and multiple continents. Monaghan knew that many people wanted to dine in, but he focused on serving those seeking convenience, introducing the 30-minute guarantee and pioneering the modern pizza box.
By the early 2010s, Domino’s had become a national powerhouse with more than 21,000 stores. It was still building a brand around convenience, but it had expanded its menu and focused on technology to meet customers’ changing needs. It launched a new app, introduced delivery on Google Home devices and improved its online ordering system. It also worked to optimize store placement, clustering locations in high-density regions to reduce delivery times and crowd out competitors.
A domino is a small, flat block with two ends that are either blank or bear from one to six spots (also called “pips”). There are 28 unique pieces in a traditional double-six set. Traditionally, sets are made from materials such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory and dark hardwoods such as ebony, with contrasting black or white pips. Some sets even incorporate different colors of inlaid plastic. Dominoes are used for playing a variety of games, most commonly blocking and scoring games. They can be played with one or more players, and the rules of each game differ.