Business Spotlight: Domino’s Part 1

Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. be measured in (something) / bi ˈmɛʒ ərd ɪn / (idiom) – to use something to show the value or quality of something else
    Example:

    Success in life can also be measured in the lessons one has learned.


  2. be the case / bi ðə keɪs / (idiom) – to be true or correct
    Example:

    I heard that the virus is spreading again fast. If that’s the case, you won’t see me going out for some time!


  3. setup / ˈsɛtˌʌp / (n.) – the way something is done or organized
    Example:

    Gab finds the work-from-home setup very convenient.


  4. fast track / fæst træk / (n.) – a process that lets someone get results quickly
    Example:

    She’s on the fast track for early graduation because of the additional classes she took last year.


  5. to this day / tʊ ðɪs deɪ / (idiom) – something that happened in the past and is continuing or true until the present
    Example:

    My grandmother shared a cake recipe that she still follows to this day.


Article

Read the text below.

It’s not often that the value of a business can be measured in cars. However, that’s exactly the case for the pizza restaurant that grew into an international pizza chain with around 18,000 stores in over 90 countries.


It started in 1960, when Tom and James Monaghan bought DomiNick’s, a pizza store in Michigan. In 1961, James gave up his half of the business in exchange for one Volkswagen Beetle. So, you could say that DomiNick’s was worth two Beetles.


The restaurant became successful, and Tom changed its name to Domino’s Pizza in 1965. From the very beginning, it offered pizza by delivery only, with just 11 toppings. This simple setup put it on the fast track for success and by the mid-1980s, Domino’s had over 1,000 stores across the United States, as well as several international stores.


By the 1990s, Domino’s was operating smoothly enough to allow for some major changes to the business plan. In 1992, with the introduction of bread sticks, Domino’s put nonpizza items on the menu for the first time ever, and then in 1998, it introduced the HeatWave, a pizza bag designed to keep the contents hot for as long as possible — a design still used to this day. Also in 1998, Tom sold Domino’s Pizza for a billion dollars and retired. (Jasmin Hayward)


To be continued…


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • In 1960, Tom and James Monaghan bought DomiNick’s, a pizza store in Michigan. After a year, James gave up his half of the business in exchange for one Volkswagen Beetle. Why do you think he did this? If you were James, would you have done the same thing? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Domino’s has around 18,000 stores in over 90 countries today. How do you think James felt about this (ex. sad, happy for his old partner)? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • From the beginning, Domino’s offered pizza by delivery only. This simple setup was a success. Why do you think Domino’s became successful by just offering pizza by delivery only? What other businesses do you think would be successful this way? Discuss.
  • In 1998, Tom Monaghan sold Domino’s Pizza for a billion dollars after managing it for 38 years. However, despite it being under new management, the restaurant continues to be successful even today. How do you think the new owner kept Domino’s successful? Discuss.