Domino’s to hire 3000 new drivers, bike riders

DOMINO’S is going on a pedal power hiring spree as it gears up for unprecedented delivery demand ahead of the winter football season.

Domino’s to hire 3000 new drivers for footy season

DOMINO’S is going on a massive hiring spree as it gears up for unprecedented delivery demand ahead of the double whammy winter and State of Origin season.

The Brisbane-based chain will hire 3000 new delivery drivers and bike riders and add 40 new stores to its 600-strong network in the next six months, 25 of which will be open before June.

The delivery fleet, which consists of more than 300 electric bikes, plus scooters, cars and even an experimental robot, will be boosted across Domino’s network by around two to three staff per store.

Domino’s chief executive Don Meij told news.com.au the new investment was necessary to keep pushing down delivery times past its promised 20-minute guarantee.

With a combination of GPS Driver Tracker and improved oven technology, Domino’s had “never delivered this fast before in our history”. “We want to continue to deliver more efficiently,” he said.

In February, Domino’s reported a record half-year result, with revenue increasing nearly 30 per cent to $445.3 million. In the six months to January 3, like-for-like sales were up nearly 14 per cent.

Domino's CEO Don Meij.

“The winter months and football season have a double compounding effect, plus the big delivery growth we’ve had this year is an extra compounding effect,” he said.

Mr Meij said Domino’s was forecasting “delivery half hours” — the number of deliveries a store makes every half-hour — to increase by 50 to 100 per cent in some cases.

“That’s the pressure the stores can be under,” he said. “Many stores are starting to hit capacity.”

The next 10 stores are set to open in Walkworth (NZ), Whyalla (SA), Noranda (WA), Casey (ACT), Meadowbank (NZ), Pyrmont (NSW), Unanderra (NSW), Ashburton (NZ), Bundaberg East (QLD) and West Perth (WA).

Mr Meij said the delivery robot, named DRU, had “received a lot of global interest” but won’t be taking to the streets tomorrow.

“We have more tests happening in April. This will happen in phases. Hopefully within two or three years we’ll be fully authorised,” he said.

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