Ex-Domino’s Workers Share The Company’s Best-Kept Secrets

Have you ever wanted to know what goes on behind the counter at your local Domino’s pizza emporium? Well, you’re in luck, because the internet is full of former employees who revel in unveiling the company’s deepest, darkest secrets to the world! From getting free food to cheaper pizza hacks, we’ve got more hidden facts about Domino’s than you could possibly imagine.

40. Your local Domino’s has access to your entire order history

In 2017 former Domino’s employee Kevin Beirne took readers of the JOE website behind the curtain. One of the first things he claimed is that, when you order from Domino’s, the staff generally have access to your entire order history. That’s right: they know how often you order a large meat feast at 11:30 p.m. Is nothing sacred?!

39. The order tracker isn’t quite as precise as you may think

We all love the Domino’s order tracker. It’s a handy tool that lets you see exactly where your pizza is in the process – from fresh out of the oven to whisking its way to your home. Only according to Beirne, this is all smoke and mirrors. Allegedly, the tracker is simply built to estimate things based on usual cooking and delivery times. It doesn’t really reflect what’s happening at the restaurant.

38. There are situations in which staff may give you free stuff

In this life, it’s always best to be nice. Seriously, being a pleasant person will get you pretty far in most situations. And this can work to your benefit at Domino’s, too. Beirne claimed that if the store wound up with extra stock of certain items, he would have permission to give it away to favored customers.

37. An alarm goes off every 30 minutes telling staff to wash their hands

When you go to a fast-food restaurant, the last thing you want to see is an employee with questionable hygiene – especially dirty hands. This wouldn’t happen at Domino’s, though. Beirne claims that an alarm sounds every 30 minutes during the day which alerts employees to wash their hands.

36. Domino’s outlets are cleaned throughout the day and after closing time

Apparently, Domino’s restaurants are kept spick and span at all times. A former store manager in the English city of Manchester said that they are cleaned thoroughly throughout the day by staff when there are any lulls in service. The place gets another good scrubbing after closing time when a separate team comes in to prepare the store for opening again the next day.

35. The dough arrives pre-measured for each pizza size

Domino’s apparently runs a pretty tight ship. For instance, if you order a large 13.5 inch pizza, the cook doesn’t make an educated guess at the amount of dough they will need to make the base. The dough for each pizza size is pre-measured, so there’s no potential for too much or too little being used. Yep, efficiency is king!

34. Shaping this dough is called ‘slapping,’ and there’s an art to it

Once the blob of dough is chosen, it then has to be shaped into a pizza base. There is actually a name for this technique: it’s called “slapping.” By most accounts, though, it isn’t as easy as you’d think. An employee told WalesOnline, “Although all workers will be required to slap the dough at some point, some are just better at it than others.” There’s a life lesson in there somewhere.

33. Whatever you do, don’t order any more than four toppings

When we order Domino’s, we’re always tempted to go crazy with the Create Your Own pizza option. Seven types of meat, three cheeses and four different veggies? Make it so! Though Beirne claimed that, after four toppings are added, the portion sizes get smaller. So, once you cross that threshold, you’re allegedly paying more money to get less of each item.

32. Staff tend to eat any unclaimed food

If something is made by mistake, or there is an error with someone’s order and the food is sent back, Domino’s company policy is to throw it out. But this is rarely what actually happens, according to Beirne. Somewhat unsurprisingly, most Domino’s employees are unlikely to let perfectly good grub go to waste. So, the staff tend to give these poor forgotten items a good home – in their bellies.

31. Domino’s employees get some great discounts

Working for Domino’s definitely has its perks. Beirne said that, at the end of every shift, employees could get a personal pizza for only a buck. The workers also have hefty discounts outside of work hours. All the staffers allegedly need to do is prove that they work at Domino’s, and they get 50 percent off their orders.

30. The regular bases and gourmet Italian-style ones are made from the same dough

This one is a great example of how the word “gourmet” should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt. Beirne alleged the Domino’s regular pizza bases and gourmet Italian-style variants are actually made from the exact same dough. The only difference is that the Italian one is stretched much thinner. We’re shook.

29. The Double Decadence base is just two thin crusts put together

We’re sorry to break everyone’s hearts, but there’s also a dirty secret to the Double Decadence base. While it may taste delicious and seem like an indulgent treat, Beirne claims that it’s actually just two thin crusts stuck together with some garlic and herb sauce. Still, two crusts is better than one, right?

28. The Domino’s oven is a conveyor belt, and potato wedges have to go through it twice

According to Beirne, the oven at Domino’s is like one long conveyor belt. Raw food apparently goes in on one side and it slowly comes out cooked to perfection on the other. But he explained that there is one item that always goes through the process twice in order to ensure the correct crispiness: potato wedges.

27. There’s a policy against making off-menu items – unless you’re a staff member

Beirne told the JOE website that Domino’s staff regularly experiment with ingredients while making their own eats. For instance, his manager discovered a way to make the pizza sauce a million times better by adding jalapeno brine. Unfortunately, despite its undeniable deliciousness, they weren’t allowed to use that sauce on a customer’s pizza. The brine wasn’t on the menu and could potentially make someone ill, so it was a no-go.

26. Domino’s has a tool that lets staff note who the troublemaking customers are

Here’s a friendly piece of advice to all regular Domino’s customers out there: don’t give the staff attitude. Beyond the obvious fact that you’ll come across like a tool, you may also run the risk of being labeled a troublemaker. The staff will note on their system who you are and what you did, and every time you come back, they’ll be like, “Ugh. Not them again.”

25. You can order a pizza in which every slice has a different topping

The Create Your Own option at Domino’s is truly a wonderful thing. Most people use it to customize a little bit but, in reality, nothing is stopping you from creating your own magnum opus. For example, a staff member posted a photograph on Imgur in 2014 of a pizza he made that took our breath away. Each and every slice was a different speciality. Whoa.

24. Domino’s employees will probably indulge your every crazy whim

In 2014 a customer from Colorado posted on Twitter about how Domino’s had made her boyfriend’s night. How did they do that, then? Well, he jokingly asked the staff to draw a dinosaur on his pizza box – not really believing they would. Brilliantly, though, the pie turned up complete with a crude dinosaur drawing on the inside of the box and she shared the pic with the world. Now that’s customer service!

23. Be careful if you order a ‘plain’ pizza

This one is the height of absurdity, but we’re here for it. In July 2021 a Twitter user posted about how his uncle ordered a “plain” pizza from Domino’s. Unfortunately, what he got was truly plain, though. His pie just had tomato sauce on it – no cheese whatsoever. He must’ve thought he was on Punk’d!

22. The company rebranded in 2009 to get away from a bad reputation

These days it seems like a genius move, but in 2009 Domino’s directly addressing complaints about its pizzas was an incredibly risky proposition. The whole company rebranded with a new recipe – admitting that some people felt their pizza crusts tasted like cardboard and the tomato sauce was no better than ketchup. It paid off, though; the franchise is now one of the biggest pizza chains in the U.S.

21. The Secret Menu item in the U.K. and Australia is the All-Day Breakfast pizza

Depending on who you listen to, there either is or isn’t a secret menu at Domino’s. Beirne told JOE that it didn’t exist, and yet the Secret Menus website insists it does. According to that latter site, in the U.K. and Australia you can ask for an All-Day Breakfast pizza, which isn’t on the menu. Allegedly, the pie has scrambled egg, bacon, tomato, BBQ sauce and red onion on it.

20. The Super Lot pizza is a Secret Menu item available at most Domino’s restaurants

According to the Secret Menu website, the supposedly secret Super Lot pizza is available at most Domino’s restaurants around the globe, and it’s like a Meat Feast on steroids. Seriously, it’s got pepperoni, ground beef, shredded ham sausage, mushrooms, olives and red onion. Oh, and pineapple. But we can forgive that.

19. Domino’s franchise owner Pali Grewel holds a prestigious pizza record

U.K. Domino’s franchise owner Pali Grewel was crowned the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker in 2014. Apparently, he landed this prestigious accolade after making three large pizzas in just 32.28 seconds! Oh, and he did it as 5,000 audience members and a panel of strict Domino’s judges looked on in Las Vegas, California. This man can slap the dough, sauce, and cheese on a pizza in less than 11 seconds. Sorcery.

18. Technically, you can get whatever you want inside your dough balls

We love the dough balls at Domino’s; those pepperoni or cheese-filled delights make our tummies very happy. But did you know that, technically, you’re not limited to those two fillings? An employee told WalesOnline that, because they are handmade at each location, you can ask for whatever you want in them. Bacon dough balls, anyone?

17. Always ask the staff if there are any deals or discounts you can get

Look, we get it. No one likes talking on the phone anymore. Most of us tend to order our food via a website or an app. But here’s the thing: sometimes it pays to speak to an actual person. This is because sometimes the Domino’s site doesn’t always add meal deals or show you the best discounts. A staff member would tell you, though, because they’re nice like that.

16. Make use of Domino’s policy on free topping changes

We have Cosmopolitan magazine to thank for this awesome tip. It writes that Domino’s offers two topping changes on any pizza at no charge. So, if you know what you’re doing, there is some money to be saved. For example, try ordering a Veggie Sizzler but choose to exchange the tomatoes for pepperoni. You’ve just put together a Mexican Sizzler for cheaper than it would be to actually order one. Pizza hack!

15. These toppings have the highest and lowest profit margins

In 2017 a former Domino’s manager took to Reddit and claimed to have the profit margins for certain toppings. Apparently, pineapple has the highest and pepperoni the lowest. So, to prevent Domino’s from making loads of cash off of you, stick to pepperoni. But if you’re happy to be taken for a ride, it’s pineapple time, baby.

14. If you’re a delivery driver, working fast means better money

One particular Reddit user had some great advice for prospective Domino’s delivery drivers in 2018. They wrote, “Work fast and you’ll make good money. Speed is key. When you’re out on a run, don’t waste time.” You see, it pays for drivers to quickly get back to the store. This means they can pick up another order faster, and that will lead to another potential tip.

13. Drivers should always write their tips on the delivery slips

Another user on Reddit dished out a superb tip, which does make us wonder about the morals of some Domino’s managers. They wrote, “Save your delivery slips. Get a journal… and write down your tips… so you know exactly how much you should be getting at the end of the night.” Allegedly, they had heard of some managers skimming money off driver’s tips, and this method makes sure that can’t happen.

12. Delivery drivers can potentially make more money than in-store staff

Interestingly, one Redditor believes that working as a delivery driver for Domino’s is a better idea than working in the restaurant. They wrote, “You’ll make much more money than working inside and still have a flexible schedule. Being a driver lets you pick up and drop shifts much easier. It’s also not as tiring or stressful.”

11. Staff use a ‘spoodle’ to dole out just the right amount of tomato sauce

In 2015 the U.K.’s Channel 4 aired a documentary entitled Domino’s Pizza – A Slice of Life. It took viewers behind the scenes and claimed that the stores use a special utensil to put the exact right amount of tomato sauce on a pizza. It’s called a “spoodle” and is basically somewhere between a ladle and a spoon. Its bottom is curved, which ensures the sauce spreads evenly on every base.

10. Most Domino’s delivery drivers are working it as a second job

Spare a thought for the driver the next time you get a Domino’s delivery – especially if they look unenthused to be delivering you pizza. According to BuzzFeed, most drivers are simply doing it as a way to earn some extra cash. In their day jobs they may be office workers, theater ushers or librarians. You just never know!

9. Delivery drivers get paid an extra amount for each delivery if they’re using their own vehicle

Many Domino’s delivery drivers don’t drive a company car when they’re on the job. They instead simply use their own vehicle with a fetching Domino’s sign affixed to the top of the roof. Thankfully, the drivers get an extra fee for each delivery if this is the case because gas is super expensive.

8. Complaining that the restaurant got your order wrong will lead to free stuff

In 2021 a former Domino’s branch manager revealed what she claimed was a secret company policy to the world on TikTok. The ex employee explained what will allegedly happen if you complain about your order being wrong. She said, “First they have to apologize to you, then they have to give you exactly what you want and then they have to give you something extra.” That’s right, you will get free stuff. Use this information responsibly, people.

7. Domino’s once used an auto-cheeser gadget

Facebook Marketplace and eBay are treasure troves of out-of-fashion gadgets. For instance, if you’re lucky, you may be able to buy a Domino’s auto-cheeser. This is a gizmo that measures the right amount of cheese to put on each pizza. The company doesn’t use them anymore, sadly, so they’re pretty rare. Let us know if you manage to snag one, alright?

6. Generally speaking, Domino’s will fulfil any order

We’ve all had nights where we’ve thought, “Is a large pizza, a side of chicken wings and cookies too much for one person?” Well, you truly shouldn’t worry, because Domino’s is used to receiving gargantuan orders. They don’t ask questions. For instance, a former manager told the Manchester Evening News that his store once did an order for 103 pizzas – at midnight.

5. Drinks are locked away from staff 

Domino’s employees are allowed the occasional soft drink during a shift, but they have to pay for them. It feels a bit mean, but we can understand the policy. What is more difficult to fathom is why the soft drinks are locked away from delivery drivers in a vending machine. Ex-staffer Kevin Beirne told JOE that the drivers have to stump up the cash if a customer orders a drink, and then they’re reimbursed at the end of their shift. How weird is that?

4. There is huge flexibility when it comes to customization options

More often than not, the Create Your Own pizza option is used for the purposes of good. After all, there’s such incredible flexibility with all the toppings. But sometimes strange souls use it for other bizarre purposes. Take this example cited by the Manchester Evening News. The customer wanted a Mighty Meaty with each topping taken off – including sauce and cheese. That just left a plain base. Why?!

3. Gluten-free bases are shipped to the store in sealed pouches

This secret actually paints Domino’s in a great light. When staff are making a gluten-free pizza, the company explains that they simply choose a base from one of the special sealed pouches that are sent to the store and kept separate from the regular bases. The person who makes your gluten-free pizza will handle it from start-to-finish, it’ll be made with newly cleaned equipment and the staffer will use fresh tomato sauce and cheese. Nice.

2. One manager believes these are Domino’s most underrated toppings

According to the manager who spoke to the Manchester Evening News, the most underrated toppings at Domino’s are the jalapenos and tandoori chicken. This led us to imagine that, in their store, both items went mostly ignored by the public at large, and it upset them. We can picture the workers now, staring out the window – wondering why more people don’t share their exquisite palate.

1. You should probably avoid this topping

The Manchester manager was crystal clear on which topping is the least popular. Compared to this misbegotten topping, the jalapenos and tandoori chicken are bestsellers. Somewhat unsurprisingly, it’s the anchovies. They don’t exactly fly off the shelves. Perhaps it’s because of their unique taste or weird texture. Did we just give away that we can’t stand anchovies either?!