Domino's Pizza Crowns 'World's Fastest Pizza Maker'

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June 24, 2008 
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ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Earlier today, amidst pounding thunder sticks and cheering spectators, Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ) named Silver Springs, Md. resident, Dennis Tran, the 2008 World's Fastest Pizza Maker. Tran, an executive vice president of operations for Domino's Pizza franchise, Team Washington, made three large pizzas in an impressive 46.4 seconds. That's making three pizzas in just over 15 seconds each! Tran won $5,000 in prize money, a trophy and the coveted title presented by Domino's Chairman and CEO David A. Brandon.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080624/CLTU135-a )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080624/CLTU135-b )

"Taking second place was not an option," said Tran. "This competition brings out my competitive nature. I brought speed and confidence to the table to defend my title. I came here to take first place, and I did."

The finalists represented Domino's Pizza stores from around the world, as far away as India. They had to hand-stretch fresh dough, pizza sauce and top three large pizzas - one pepperoni, one mushroom and one cheese - as quickly as possible. While speed was important, it was only part of the recipe. Quality was scrutinized as two judges highly qualified in Domino's standard pizza-making practices inspected the stretching of the dough, application of the sauce and portioning of toppings during the competition. If the pizza was not perfect, it was returned to the competitor who remade the entire pizza, while still being timed.

Tran has been a Domino's team member for 18 years. A returning champion, Tran won the 2006 World's Fastest Pizza Maker title with a time of 55 seconds and the 2007 title with a time of 49.1 seconds. His 2008 time of 46.4 seconds sets a new world record for Domino's Pizza.

Domino's began the "World's Fastest Pizza Maker" competition in 1982 to honor pizza makers who best exemplify the company's philosophy of keeping efficiency in the store to allow sufficient time for safe, timely pizza delivery.

"Domino's Pizza is extremely proud to employ the fastest pizza makers in the world," said Brandon. "The World's Fastest Pizza Maker competition emphasizes our commitment to safely delivering piping hot, great-tasting pizzas to our customers' doors as quickly as possible."

Runners up included Pali Grewal from England, who took second place with a time of 47.9 seconds and Emmanuell Dicks from North Old Tow, Va., who took third place with a time of 49.1 seconds.

The "World's Fastest Pizza Maker" competition was held at the Towsley Auditorium on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich.

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    About Domino's Pizza(R)

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino's is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." Through its primarily franchised system, Domino's operates a network of 8,641 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and more than 55 countries. The Domino's Pizza(R) brand, named a Megabrand by Advertising Age magazine, had global retail sales of over $5.4 billion in 2007, comprised of $3.2 billion domestically and $2.2 billion internationally. During the first quarter of 2008, the Domino's Pizza(R) brand had global retail sales of $1.3 billion, comprised of approximately $735 million domestically and approximately $575 million internationally. Domino's Pizza was named "Chain of the Year" by Pizza Today magazine, the leading publication of the pizza industry and is the "Official Pizza of NASCAR(R)." Customers can place orders online in English and Spanish by visiting www.dominos.com or from a Web-enabled cell phone by visiting mobile.dominos.com. More information on the Company, in English and Spanish, can be found on the Web at www.dominos.com. Domino's Pizza. You Got 30 Minutes.(TM)

SOURCE  Domino's Pizza
    -0-                             06/24/2008
    /CONTACT:  Media Relations: Chantele Telegadas, Domino's Pizza,
+1-734-930-3451, Chantele.telegadas@dominos.com/
    /Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080624/CLTU135-a
                       http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080624/CLTU135-b
              AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
              AP PhotoExpress Network:  PRN16,17
              PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
    /Web site:  http://www.dominos.com /
    (DPZ)

CO:  Domino's Pizza
ST:  Maryland, Michigan, Washington
IN:  FOD ENT RST REA
SU:  AWD BFA

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8240 06/24/2008 18:02 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com