Domino is an asymmetrical tile game that can be played by two or more players. Each domino has an identity-bearing face (usually numbered) and a blank or identically patterned other face. The identifying face is usually a zigzag pattern of dots or spots, often called pips, which are the same as those on a die. The other face may be plain or adorned with other symbols such as hearts, diamonds, crosses, and spades. The game can be played with just one set of dominoes, but more complex games are possible with a larger number of tiles.
The first dominoes were developed in Italy and France around the mid-18th century, and were introduced into England toward the end of that period. They were used in gambling and mathematical calculations. Later, they became popular as a children’s toy. Today dominoes are used in a wide variety of games. Some are positional, with each player placing a domino edge to edge against an opponent’s in such a way that the exposed ends match. The score is then computed by adding the total of all the exposed spots on the opposing dominoes. Other games involve scoring points by lining up a series of dominoes so that one’s touch two’s, three’s touch four’s, etc.
When Domino’s Pizza founder Tom and James Monaghan opened their doors in 1960, they could never have imagined that the company would become a global enterprise. Domino’s has since expanded to a network of over 35,000 locations worldwide, and has remained at the forefront of the fast-food industry with innovative technology that allows consumers to order their pizza online and have it delivered directly to their homes in 30 minutes or less.
In 2009, when Domino’s was struggling with sales declines and a tarnished brand reputation, it hired a new CEO, Patrick Doyle. His first move was to reintroduce a controversial ad campaign featuring focus-group quotes about Domino’s pizza: “the sauce tastes like ketchup”; “the crust tastes like cardboard.” Doyle appeared in the ads and accepted the withering criticism, promising to work days, nights, and weekends to make things better.
In addition to reinvigorating the company’s image, Doyle has worked to modernize Domino’s menu offerings and invest in cutting-edge delivery technology. The company has also opened a creative space called the Domino’s Innovation Garage where cross-functional teams can collaborate on, and create, new ideas for the future of Domino’s. This kind of forward-thinking is exactly what will help the company continue to innovate and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.