A domino is a small rectangular block used as a game piece. Also called bones, cards, men, or tiles, it has a line on one side to visually divide it into two squares; the top half bears an arrangement of dots resembling those on dice. The other side is blank or patterned identically. The value of a domino is determined by its number of spots or pips. Dominoes, which are normally twice as long as they are wide, can be arranged in many different ways to form layouts for various games.
In most domino games, only the ends of a tile that touch other pieces are considered “open” and can be played. A domino that is matched to another with matching numbers on their exposed ends may then be scored for points. For example, a domino with six pips on one end and one pips on the other would score three points. The first player to score all his or her points wins the game.
The word domino probably derives from the Italian verb “dominare,” meaning to dominate. However, the game itself has been around for centuries. It was first documented in print in France in 1750, and its use in England soon followed. The term was probably influenced by an earlier sense of the word that denoted a hooded cloak worn with a mask at a masquerade.
Domino’s Founder
The company that makes dominoes, known as Domino’s Pizza in the United States, was founded by Tom Monaghan in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1967. His original business model was based on putting pizzerias near colleges, where students often craved quick food after studying. This strategy proved successful, and the chain grew rapidly.
In the United States, Domino’s is now the largest pizza chain in the world, with more than 2,400 stores. It has an estimated revenue of about $10 billion, and its stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Domino’s leadership team is focused on ensuring that the company stays true to its core values and that it delivers for its customers. This includes being innovative, staying close to its roots, and listening to its employees.
Domino’s CEO, Steve Doyle, took over in 2015 after David Brandon, who led the company for 13 years, left to become the CEO of Pizza Hut. Doyle continued with the strategies that worked for Domino’s, including implementing a relaxed dress code and creating more opportunities for employees to learn. He was also committed to addressing Domino’s high turnover rate and listened closely to employee feedback. Domino’s has been making significant investments to revamp its image, including the launch of a purpose-built pizza-delivery vehicle. This is part of a larger plan to create more modern, upscale branding for the brand. The company has also experimented with drone delivery and other methods of pizza delivery.