When Hevesh sets out one of her massive domino creations, it takes several nail-biting minutes for the first tiles to fall. But once they do, all the potential energy stored in them is released—as if each little nudge has been a tiny domino itself, tipping the larger mass into motion. That’s what Hevesh calls the “domino effect,” a phrase she applies to all things that cascade in a rhythmic fashion, like a row of dominoes falling after a slight nudge.
Domino is a small rectangular block of rigid material (usually wood) marked with numbered pips, or dots, in each half. It’s used for playing games of chance or skill, where the player tries to make a line of dominoes with a matching value at each end. Dominoes can also be used to build structures, or for decoration.
A set of dominoes typically includes 28 pieces, although some older or specialty sets have fewer or more. The pips on each domino are usually painted in black or white. Some dominoes are carved or inlaid, or made of materials such as silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, and ebony, with contrasting pips.
Traditionally, dominoes have been made of wood, but they can be also be made from stone (such as marble and granite); soapstone; metal (e.g., brass or pewter); ceramic clay; and other substances, including frosted glass. In addition, many manufacturers produce dominoes with various polymer materials.
While Domino’s has adapted to new technology, the 30-minute delivery time remains a core value. In fact, Domino’s has invested in developing a number of different ways for customers to order and track their pizzas, such as using apps on smartphones, ordering directly via Twitter, or even texting an emoji.
The company has also expanded its food offerings to include chicken wings, pastas, and cakes. And its domino’s delivery service continues to expand, with more than 25,000 global locations as of 2020.
As the company’s reach has expanded, it has had to adapt its management style to meet changing needs. For example, while the company once relied on supervisors to manage individual stores, it now uses a “no-hierarchy” structure where leadership and managerial functions are combined. This has led to an increase in innovation and productivity, as employees can work more quickly on projects without the need for supervisor approval.
Domino’s has also implemented a “think global, act local” strategy that focuses on building relationships with customers. In order to support that effort, the company has built a network of franchises with locally owned and operated stores. This has helped the company create jobs and invest in its communities. In turn, these partnerships have helped Domino’s achieve its goal of having a store within 30 minutes of every household in the United States. This is important, as it helps the brand retain its image of a neighborhood store that customers can trust to deliver high-quality products and service.
