A set of small rectangular wood or plastic blocks bearing identifying marks on one side and blank or identically patterned on the other, used to play a variety of games. Dominos are also used to create domino art, including straight lines that form pictures when they fall or grids that can be stacked for walls or pyramids.
The word comes from Latin dominus, meaning “lord, master.” In its earliest sense, domino meant a hooded robe worn with an eye mask at a masquerade. The company’s founder, Tom Monaghan, first opened a Domino’s in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1967. Domino’s grew quickly, expanding to over 200 locations by 1978. But by the end of 2019, the company was facing slumping profits and rising competition from competitors like Pizza Hut and Little Caesars.
To reverse the trend, the company turned to its core values for help. A key value is “Champion Our Customers,” which focuses on listening to customer feedback and taking action based on what’s being heard. One example of this strategy was reviving an employee survey about the company culture that Domino’s had abandoned decades earlier, and speaking directly to employees about what changes they wanted to see.
Domino’s new CEO, Steve Doyle, has continued this line of communication with employees. As he explains, “Domino’s has to have its finger on the pulse of our workforce.” When the company hears from employees that they aren’t satisfied, it’s important for them to listen and take action to ensure the business remains successful.
While a Domino’s location can be in any city or town, the company has found that certain demographics are better suited for its pizza than others. For example, the company has a strong presence in college towns. This is because students tend to be latecomers to the dining scene and are more likely than other consumers to be interested in late-night food options.
When a student is hungry for a quick meal, he or she can pick up a Domino’s delivery or visit a campus dining hall for something fast and affordable. This strategy has helped the company to thrive in college towns across the country and expand into new markets.
In many domino games, the person who plays a tile with the matching number to a previous tile in a line is known as the leader. The leader is often given the choice of opening with a double or with a single, depending on the rules of the game being played.
While traditional domino sets are typically made from bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony with black or white inlaid pips, it is possible to make domino sets from other natural materials; stones such as marble, granite and soapstone; metals such as brass and pewter; or even glass and crystal. These materials give the dominoes a more unique look and feel, but they are also generally more expensive than their wooden counterparts.