My affair with branded pizzas start little late in my life as there was no outlets in my residential town. It all started with my frequent traveling after my studies. Now I can proudly say that I have tasted varieties of pizzas. This review is not about pizzas; it is about the pizza maker. So let us start.
Frankly speaking, my first love is Pizza Hut and I tried Domino’s when there was no PH outlet nearby. But gradually I started loving Domino’s so the review is about the offerings, positives and negatives of Domino’s.
History
In 1960, Tom Monaghan and his brother, James, purchased DomiNick’s, a small pizza store in US which was renamed as Domino’s Pizza, Inc. in 1965. The company logo was originally planned to add a new dot with the addition of every new store**, but this idea quickly faded as Domino’s experienced rapid growth. The three dots represent the stores opened in 1969.
Location
The first outlet of Domino’s was opened in January 1996 in New Delhi. As on last financial year, there are more than 378 stores in India. What I like most about Domino’s is that it can easily be found in any nook and corner of a city unlike Pizza Hut. It is the largest Pizza chain in India.
Furnishing and servicing
The word furnishing and servicing doesn’t apply to Domino’s as they used to keep bare minimum in their store and you have to self-service your orders. Normally I have found a water cooler in every store (exceptions are there) where you can quench your thirst by pouring water in disposable glasses.
They don’t use any cutlery in their store** and they have logic behind it that nothing should come between you and your pizza and it tastes good when eaten by your hands. The pizzas and other offering are served in disposables.
The look of the store is almost similar everywhere. There will be a reception-cum-order counter where you can order of your choice, pay the amount, take the order receipt and sit at any table. Do note the order number mentioned on the order receipt, they might display it on small LCD displays or sometimes a bearer may come with your order searching for you. And in many stores, there will be no display and they will keep shouting your order number standing beside the reception counter.
Food and prices
Like most of the other pizza stores, it also offers almost all the similar things but with different taste.
Pizzas- There is three pizza sizes available like all other stores- Regular (7”, serves 1), Medium (10”, serves 2) and Large (13”, serves 4). The prices vary from 50-100% as per the size.
There are four major classifications as per the pizza toppings**-
Simply Veg/ Non-Veg*: contains simple toppings such as cheese, tomato, barbeque chicken etc. There are two options in veg category and one option in non-veg category. The price varies from Rs.75 (for regular Veg) to Rs.385 (for large Non-Veg).
Veg/ Non-Veg-I*: contain extra vegetables/ chicken toppings. There are four options in veg category and two options in non-veg category. The price varies from Rs.110 (Veg-I regular) to Rs.445 (Non-Veg-I large).
Veg/ Non-Veg-II*: have some exotic toppings such as paneer, jalapenos, olive etc. with regular toppings. There are four options in veg and three options in non-veg. The price varies from Rs.155 (Veg-II regular) to Rs.495 (Non-Veg-II large).
Veg/ Non-Veg Feast*: contains heavy toppings. There is one option for veg and three options for non-veg.
Domino’s provides four choices of crust (pizza base) in medium size pizzas**. The default crust is Classic Hand Tossed. Other options are- Wheat Thin Crust (Rs.20 extra), Deep Dish (Rs.40 extra) and Cheese Burst (Rs.70 extra).
Pastas**- There is two options of pastas- Italiano Red and Italiano White, available in veg (at Rs.89) and non-veg (at Rs.99).
Garlic Breadsticks- This is my most favorite item at Domino’s. It is available at Rs.60. It is very much different and has better taste than the garlic breads offered in Pizza Hut.
Desserts- There is two options for desserts- Choco Lava Cake (at Rs.55) and Butterscotch Mousse Cake (at Rs.59). The later is the most advertised product of Domino’s nowadays but there is nothing great as advertised. It is just like any other cake. Choco lava cake is better with chocolate inside.
Beverages- There is only three types of cold drinks available as beverages- Coke, Fanta & Sprite, all available in only 500ml pet size.
There are some other offerings such as cheesy dips (at Rs.20, taste good with garlic bread), chicken kickers, chicken wings etc. The extra toppings and cheese are also available from Rs.20 to Rs.60 as per the pizza size.
Pizza Mania
The USP of Domino’s is ‘Pizza Mania’ pizzas that made pizzas affordable for all classes of people**. There are four options for pizza mania- veg singles/ doubles and non-veg singles doubles. Here the single and double indicates one or two toppings that can be chosen from a given list. The prices are very reasonable, just Rs.39 for veg single, Rs.55 for veg double, Rs.65 for non-veg single and Rs.75 for non-veg double.
Domino’s vs. Pizza Hut
These two are among the best when we talk of Pizzas, so the comparison is obvious. I have noted down few differences for your reference.
PH is dark-themed restaurant where as Domino’s prefers light and bright colors.
PH has the best ambience and furnishing** where as Domino’s have just the bare necessities.
PH treats you with utmost care and respect** as if you are in 3-star restaurant, which you will definitely miss in Domino’s.
There is a hardbound and attractive menu card in PH, and just a small leaflet in Domino’s.
There are only 500ml cold drinks (Coke, Fanta, Sprite) as beverages in Domino’s where as PH has vast offerings in beverages category.
Domino’s has very limited offerings** (Pizzas, Pastas, Side orders etc.) when compared to PH.
Domino’s looks like a deserted place when compared to PH that may be because of no extra furnishings.
Domino’s is quite cheaper** than PH with no compromise in taste.
The staff of Domino’s is not so smart and active when compared to PH’s. This is my personal observation that I have noticed after visiting many stores in many cities.
Observations
Never get fooled by ‘extra cheese’ phenomenon as it is going to add more to bill and calories and very little to taste.
If you are on budget meal, just order ‘Pizza Mania’ pizzas**-Veg Doubles (or even Veg Singles if you are on tight budget). Add some side order to it and you will be done.
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