New Pizza Business Unit head aims to make Domino’s Pizza Number 1 in southern Africa


Roz Sandham
Newly appointed Managing Executive of Taste Holdings’ Pizza Business Unit, Roz Sandham, has set herself the primary task of positioning Domino’s Pizza as the number one pizza company in sub-Saharan Africa.

Domino’s Pizza was introduced to the local market towards the end of 2014, and currently has 24 stores open across the country. The Taste Holdings group, who is the Master Franchisee for the region, plans to have a total of 100 stores open before this year is over.

Sandham’s immediate role is to maintain the momentum of the roll out of the Domino’s Pizza brand and to oversee all aspects of the conversion of Scooters Pizza and St Elmo’s stores, also part of the Taste Holdings group, to Domino’s Pizza.

“It’s truly exciting to be part of the team making history in the local pizza business,” she says. “It’s rare to have the opportunity to be a part of something this big right from the start and to play a role in establishing and building an awesome international brand within South Africa and beyond. The pizza industry over here is growing at a rate of 6,5% every year and is the largest and fastest growing segment in the Quick Service Restaurant sector. Growth is being driven by heightened competition in recent years, which has fuelled an increasing number of advertising and brand awareness campaigns.  This in turn has boosted awareness and attracted customers, including new population groups that previously would not have made pizza their first choice of fast food.”

Sandham forecasts that the industry will continue to grow and evolve to meet the demanding lifestyles of many South Africans and believes that competitive edge can only be gained by consistently delivering convenience and fast, friendly service, underpinned by quality ingredients.

She says Domino’s Pizza has already differentiated itself in the marketplace through its friendly 30-minute delivery promise, fresh, hand tossed dough, unique taste and its pizza-theatre store format with an open kitchen that allows customers to watch the pizza-making process.

Sandham recently returned from a training trip to Domino’s Pizza Corporate Headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the USA, where she got to know her support team from Domino’s Pizza International.

“My training involved hands-on experience in a Domino’s Pizza store, which gave me a comprehensive understanding of the operation and invaluable exposure to best practice from top performing franchisees and corporate store achievers. I also learned how to prep a large pepperoni pizza in 49 seconds,” she quips.

“Another important component was intensive operations training on the processes, procedures and systems that make Domino’s Pizza such a powerful brand and business. I left the USA with immense confidence in the robust support structure that will help us establish and run this brand to international standards in the coming months and years.”

For more information on Domino’s Pizza or to find your closest store, visit www.dominospizza.co.za.

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