The FINANCIAL — Domino’s Pizza is celebrating the grand opening of its 13,000th store in the world today in Auburn, Washington, outside of Seattle.
“The tremendous store growth worldwide is a testament to the continued success of our 55-year-old brand,” said Patrick Doyle, Domino’s president and CEO. “Domino’s has opened 3,000 stores across the globe over the past four years, making the story of store growth one of the many phenomenal elements of the brand’s strength.”
The new Auburn store features the pizza theater design, which includes a comfortable lobby, open-area viewing of the food preparation process and the ability to track carryout orders electronically on a lobby screen. The store also features energy-efficient electric bikes and a Domino’s DXP, according to Domino’s Pizza.
In honor of the 13,000th store, Domino’s will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and present a donation of $13,000 to the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society today. Seattle-area franchise owners Greg and Kenra Keller will be in attendance, as well as a number of key Domino’s executives, including Doyle.
“I have been a part of this brand for 31 years and a proud franchisee in the Seattle area,” said Greg. “I’m so honored that this milestone store will be in our community, serving as a symbol of the great success of this global brand.”
The Kellers own 33 stores in the Seattle area. Greg began his career with Domino’s as an assistant manager in his senior year of high school, continuing to work managing stores while in college. Kenra started as a driver in college and moved up to managing stores. The couple opened their first franchise store in La Grande, Oregon. Their stories are not unusual, as more than more than 90 percent of Domino’s U.S. franchise owners began their careers working in a Domino’s store.
Domino’s operates in more than 80 international markets. Domino’s had global retail sales of over $9.9 billion in 2015. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for over 97 percent of Domino’s stores as of the second quarter of 2016.
