Man who learned English from a Domino's pizza menu now runs his own branch

A man who spoke almost no English when he arrived in the UK learned the language by studying Domino’s pizza menus.

And now, he is running his own store.

Alok Yadav, 36, got his first job in the chain 16 years ago as an in-store cleaner while studying for a year-long placement at university.

Originally from India, he first arrived in Britain in 2007 and only knew basic phrases such as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

However, Alok was determined to progress and move up the ladder at the chain. To do so, he spent hours learning how to pronounce words like ‘chicken’, ‘anchovies’ and ‘pineapple.’

He also used his spare time to practice role-playing with his colleagues until he mastered the phrase: ‘Thank you for choosing Domino’s pizza, my name is Alok, how can I help.’

Doing this meant he could answer the phone and take orders.

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Because of his hard work, Alok excelled and was soon promoted to store manager, running the Portsmouth North End Domino’s branch.

And then, last Monday, he realised another dream through the company’s Homegrown Heroes programme – opening his very own franchise in Swaffham, Norfolk.

‘I knew I had to learn the language quickly if I wanted to progress, but it was really hard,’ Alok said.

‘It was tricky when someone ordered a “Meatilicious” pizza because I couldn’t say it. As I was young, I’d only heard of onions and tomatoes, so I had to learn the names of the other toppings and how to say them.

‘It wasn’t easy. My colleagues were great in helping me learn and I was determined to do it as I really enjoyed working in Domino’s. We spent hours in the flat above the shop going through the phone greeting and working on the toppings.

‘So, that was how I learned English.

‘I then had more confidence and I quickly rose from team member to supervisor, to store manager all within a year.’

Alok even met his partner, Rachel Yadav, while working in a Domino’s store, having fallen for her while they were colleagues in Farnham.

He eventually rose up through the ranks to an area manager role, but Alok began to get itchy feet and dreamed of running his own franchise.

He had already become an extremely successful entrepreneur in his own right, opening over 40 outlets, including coffee shops and other pizza stores.

Yet, he always had a special place in his heart for Domino’s, so when the opportunity came to have his own shop via the Homegrown Heroes programme, he jumped and took it.

‘I was always in contact with my ex-colleagues at Domino’s so when I heard that Domino’s was on-boarding new franchise partners through the Homegrown Heroes programme I just had to get involved,’ he explained.

‘It was special for me. Working at Domino’s gave me the business acumen that has served me so well over the years. It’s a great place to build a career and provided me with opportunities and valuable skills.

‘It was my first love as they gave me my first job, so I have really come full circle now. It’s been an incredible journey for me and I couldn’t be happier.’

Dan Maund, franchise development manager at Domino’s UK & Ireland, said: ‘Alok was one of the first people to apply to the Homegrown Heroes programme, reinforcing his commitment to the brand.

‘His entrepreneurial mindset and determination that was developed through his time at Domino’s has empowered him to open several successful businesses over the years.

‘We’re proud to have Alok come the full circle and open his first Domino’s store in Swaffham.’

What is Domino’s Homegrown Heroes programme?

Franchising enables entrepreneurs or budding businesspeople to start a new venture from the ground up, with the backing of a household brand.

According to NatWest, in 2018 the UK franchise market was worth £17billion.

Domino’s Homegrown Heroes programme offers driven, entrepreneurial people with experience working in the Domino’s network the opportunity to own their own store and become a Domino’s Franchise Partner.

The programme provides tailored support to successful applicants, helping them every step of the way before they run their own store and have their very own slice of the business.

Apart from brand experience, a minimum of £70,000 is required to get started and the process takes between six and 14 months.

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