Domino's targets NI

Domino's Pizza is seeking candidates to open new franchised stores in Northern Ireland as it seeks to capitalise on the 10 per cent growth achieved in its 2009 sales figures. The company operates in over 560 locations across the UK and Ireland and is aiming to open 50 new stores each year to reach its goal of at least 1,000 by 2017. It has identified Armagh, Dungannon and Banbridge as key areas for expansion in Northern Ireland.

"With a fanatical focus on customer service, an outstanding product and the support of an established brand, Domino's franchise owners can only go from strength to strength," said Domino's Pizza Head of Franchise Development Andy Hirst. "We're looking for talented people who are keen to capitalise on the nation's need for pizza and the roll out in Armagh, Dungannon and Banbridge represents an exciting chance for local entrepreneurs to invest in a tried and tested business model with a market leader."

Domino's Pizza reports that the cost to become a franchise owner is approximately £260,000 and applicants must have access to around £100,000 of their own money. Of its existing franchise owners, some 60 per cent have opened more than one store and 40 per cent own at least three.

"The sky's the limit," continued Andy. "If a franchise owner has proven skills operating one store, then it makes sense that they apply their experience to further units. We give extensive support to our franchise owners that want to do this, such as helping them identify sites and secure planning permission, so expanding your business in a franchised system is really like doing so with stabilisers."