Domino’s Pizza Group is hiring 5,000 new staff across the UK and Ireland over the busy festive period, the fast food giant has announced.
The group, the US giant’s UK master franchise, is hoping to revive momentum amid a disappointing 40th year in business so far.
It has seen its value fall by a third since the start of the year amid weaker consumer demand and higher costs.
Domino’s, which launched its first store in Luton in 1985, said it hoping to recruit more delivery drivers, in-store colleagues and pizza makers.
It research claims to have found ‘many people are switching careers in search of more sociable roles’ and reconsidering further education.
The survey of around 2,000 people, suggests 60 per cent of 18-27 year olds believe workplace experience and training matter more for career success than a university degree.
It also claims the same proportion would reconsider their decision to go to university if they had the chance again.
Pizza promise: Former soldier David Gregory has been with Domino’s for nearly 20 years
Domino’s highlighted its store management training programme, The Academy, which ‘has supported over 500 employees’ since launching in 2022.
Nicola Frampton, chief operating officer, said: ‘We’re celebrating 40 years as the UK’s no.1 pizza delivery brand but, as always, have more of an eye on the future than the past.
‘We’re proud to offer 5,000 seasonal roles across the UK and Ireland as we approach our busy peak season.’
It comes as Britain’s labour market comes under pressure, particularly within retail and hospitality, with the latest Office for National Statistics data confirming job losses and a sharp fall in vacancies.
Frampton added: ‘We’re looking for great people to help us deliver great quality food, world-class service and incredible value for our customers.’
I left the army – and love the camaraderie at Domino’s
David Gregory: He works in the Preston branch of the pizza giant
When 60 year old Army Reserves medic David Gregory left the forces in 2008 after 18 years and three gruelling tours, he was planning to forge a new career in nursing.
While he was waiting for his nursing license to come through, the then 43-year-old war veteran signed up to deliver pizzas for his local Domino’s store in Preston.
But much to his surprise, he says he discovered a community that transformed his life – prompting him to turn his back on his medical field and become a driver full time.
David said: ‘When I left the army in February 2008, I was not in a good place.
‘I served in Kosovo and did two separate tours in Iraq with the Reserves, and while there were a lot of good times, there were difficult ones too.
‘My second tour in Iraq was particularly difficult, so when I was posted to Afghanistan, I decided to leave and go back into a former career, nursing.
‘I registered to begin practising again as soon as possible, and my plan in the interim was to do deliveries for Domino’s part time to earn some extra money.
‘But then my plans changed when I found that I absolutely loved the job.
‘I love driving, meeting customers and new staff members. So I let my nursing registration drop and increased my driving hours to full-time instead.
‘I remember my mum was against it at the time – she was telling me I had three degrees and could do anything I wanted, and go anywhere I wanted.
‘But after leaving the army I felt I had the world on my shoulders, and I wanted to focus on what made me happy.
‘And 17 years later, I still love the job as much as I did.
‘Over the years I must have met thousands of customers and seen about 400 staff come through our doors.
‘I still have most of those colleagues on Facebook. Domino’s has given me the same sense of camaraderie I had in the army – and that is so special to me.
‘The people I’ve worked with come from all kinds of walks of life, because the job is so flexible – what they have in common is being committed and caring about what they do.’
In 2018, David was awarded Domino’s Driver of the Year Award in recognition of 10 years of dedicated service.
He smiled: ‘That was a good night. Since then I’ve moved into semi-retirement, but I have no intention of retiring completely. Even at 60, it’s hard to imagine ever leaving.’
Have you taken up a more social job in recent years? Get in touch with your experience: editor@thisismoney.co.uk
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