Domino’s said it is needs to hire about 10,000 full-time and part-time workers to meet the demand for pizza delivery as America turns to takeout during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Domino’s is committed to serving local communities and providing hot pizza to everyone who is looking for a meal,” the company said. “Because of that, staffing is critical and stores across the nation are looking to hire. We want to make sure we’re not only feeding people, but also providing opportunity to those who are looking for work at this time.”
Domino’s said the need at each of its more than 6,100 U.S. locations varies by market. Open positions include delivery drivers, pizza makers, customer service representatives, managers and assistant managers. Supply chain centers are also hiring truck drivers. Company stores and franchise locations in the U.S. employ 120,000 people.
To curb the spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus, local and state authorities have ordered restaurants to stop dine-in operations. The White House has also asked consumers to stop dining out. As a result, thousands of restaurant workers have been laid off, or seen their hours drastically reduced over the past few days.
“While many local, state, and federal rules are closing dine-in restaurants, the opportunity to keep feeding our neighbors through delivery and carryout means that a small sense of normalcy is still available to everyone,” CEO Richard Allison said in a statement.
The demand in carryout and delivery services, which represents about half of total restaurant sales, is expected to surge.
Though Domino’s is shoring up its staff, the company declined to provide metrics to show delivery and carryout orders spiking beyond normal. According to Datassential’s latest restaurant industry survey of consumer behaviors and emotions, 41% of Americans are nervous or worried to go out to eat while 27% are avoiding going out to restaurants altogether. The survey was taken March 14, before the industry crisis escalated this week.
With their own fleet of delivery drivers and the tech muscle to support rapid off-premise growth, Domino’s is one of several chains whose business model can adapt to the current COVID-19 crisis.
Other restaurant chains – especially premium and fine dining brands -- are having to reinvent menus to accommodate carryout.
The restaurant industry employs about 15.6 million workers. On Wednesday, the National Restaurant Association sent a relief package to the White House, asking for a $145 billion bailout. Up to 7 million jobs are expected to be lost in the next three months, the association projected.
Allison said Domino’s wants to give those unemployed by the coronavirus ripple effect a chance.
“Our corporate and franchise stores want to make sure they’re not only feeding people, but also providing opportunity to those looking for work at this time, especially those in the heavily-impacted restaurant industry,” he stated.
On Monday, Domino’s unveiled new contactless delivery policies to keep employees and consumers safe. When ordering pizza, customers can indicate where they would prefer their order to be left by a pizza delivery person. It could be a front door, a reception desk or a park bench. The company does not work with third-party delivery companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub.
Market research firm The NPD Group says delivery represents 3% of all restaurant orders. But that’s expected to change imminently as restaurants move to off-premise operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of December 2019, carryout orders, which includes mobile orders for pickup and traditional takeout, represent 45% of total orders.
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