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Domino’s CEO explains how the chain has thrived during COVIDDomino’s CEO explains how the chain has thrived during COVID

Ritch Allison says the people are the backbone of the pizza brand

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

May 21, 2021

Domino’s is one of COVID’s success stories, there’s no denying it. Aside from the delivery infrastructure, portable food and high-tech investment, the quick-service chain’s CEO says it’s all about the people.

Ritch Allison focused on franchisees and employees over the past 18 months, especially as political, financial and personal turmoil threatened every one of them. That, he says, is what helped the brand more than anything else.

Since the pandemic began, the chain has introduced the cheeseburger pizza — the first new pizza for the brand in decades — launched autonomous delivery in partnership with Nuro, brought back an old marketing icon and started various employee-led groups helping minority communities.

Watch CEO Ritch Allison and HR executive Lisa Price explain Domino’s success and its future.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine.

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events.

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

See more from Joanna Fantozzi