Domino’s Japan celebrates sen-sational 千 1,000th store milestone!

October 10, 2023 -- Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (DPE) is thrilled to announce the opening of its 1000th store in Japan – officially making the country DPE’s biggest market by store count and the third largest international slice of the Domino’s brand in the world. 

The historic event took place at the Koto Furuishiba store in Tokyo today with DPE Group CEO and Managing Director Don Meij, APAC CEO Josh Kilimnik, CEO of Domino's Pizza Japan Martin Steenks and honoured guest, Domino's Pizza Japan Founder Ernest M Higa, all present at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

APAC CEO Josh Kilimnik, DPE Group CEO and Managing Director Don Meij and Domino’s Koto Furuishiba Store Manager at todays ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Reaching 1,000 stores is a very significant milestone, not only for Japan, but for Domino’s globally,” Mr Meij said.

“The team in Japan are continually inspiring us all with what’s possible – whether it’s raising the bar in operational excellence or creating some of the most exciting menu innovations on the planet. They have become true world leaders.”

Mr Meij said when Brisbane-based DPE purchased the majority stake in the Japanese business a decade ago it was considered a risky move. 

Pizza was largely seen as a premium meal only for holidays and special occasions and not for the individual or regular customer.  

“We knew Japan was an opportunity like no other, but pizza purchasing behaviour was quite different to our other markets,” Mr Meij said. 

DPE Group CEO and Managing Director Don Meij addressing the media at Domino’s Japan 1000th store opening today.

“At the time, Domino’s only operated in 17 of Japan’s 47 prefectures and only 43 of its 259 stores were franchised. We could see we had extremely experienced operators, but without the means to grow.” 

Mr Meij said DPE was able to leverage its operational, franchising and marketing expertise to help unlock the country’s potential, while also developing a local strategy to provide a truly Japanese customer experience. 

By 2018, Domino’s had expanded to 550 stores in Japan, increasing to 900 last year and a little over 18 months later, 1,000. 

Domino’s now operates in all 47 prefectures in Japan and are the biggest pizza chain by store count in well over half (30) of those. 

The 1K store milestone also makes Domino’s Japan one of the largest Domino’s markets outside its US home, behind only India and the UK. 

Mr Kilimnik, who served as Domino’s Japan CEO and President between 2018 and 2022, said key drivers of Japan’s success included a revitalised menu that retained the premium, special occasion pizzas, while adding a value-focused offering; implementing a dynamic online ordering system; and investing in growing and developing its people. 

“Today more than half (626) of our stores are owned and operated by local franchisees,” Mr Kilimnik said. “We’re seeing more store managers wanting to franchise and more franchisees wanting to become multi-unit franchisees. 

“This kind of organic growth is testament to the incredible team in Japan who fully embraced Domino’s ‘High Volume Mentality’ to make their dreams a reality.”

Inside Domino’s Koto Furuishiba store in Tokyo.

Mr Steenks said there are no plans to slow down anytime soon.

“We aim to be the number one pizza company in all of Japan’s prefectures,” Mr Steenks said. “We are very confident we will be celebrating 2,000 stores in Japan within the next decade.”

DPE Japan Timeline 

• 1985 – Domino’s commences operations in Japan.  
• 2010 – Bain Capital purchases 179 Domino’s stores in Tokyo and Osaka. 
• 2013 – DPE acquires a 75% stake of Domino’s Pizza Japan from partners Bain Capital, operating 259 stores. This is DPE’s largest purchase to date. 
• 2017 – DPE acquires Bain’s 25% minority stake, moving to 100% ownership. 
• 2018 – 550 stores
• 2020 – 700 stores and Japan overtakes Australia as DPE’s largest country by store count. 
• 2022 – 900 stores 
• 2023 – 1,000 stores. Domino’s Japan now third largest Domino’s market outside the US, behind UK and India. 
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