Domino, also known as bones, cards, men, or pieces, is a flat, thumb-sized rectangular block used for gaming and various games of chance. Dominoes are normally twice as long as they are wide and feature one side with a pattern of spots or dots that resemble those on a die. The other side is blank or identically patterned. The number of spots or pips on either side is a key factor in determining the value of a domino; one with more pips has a higher rank than a similar domino with fewer pips. A complete set of dominoes has 28 pieces.

Domino’s success relies on a tight-knit network of franchisees, called “owner-operators.” The company recruits them from local communities with a mix of business and management experience. It also seeks candidates with local market knowledge, operational scale, real estate access, and cultural understanding. Master franchisees, who oversee several regions and have a more significant role in the company’s growth, are selected through a rigorous process.

The game of domino has many variations, but the basic idea remains the same: to form a line or string of dominoes edge-to-edge by matching and playing them. This line is often referred to as the layout, string, or line of play. The player who plays the first tile is sometimes referred to as the setter, downer, or leader. The rules of the particular domino game dictate who makes the first play and what type of tile (either a double or a single) should be played.

While the game has its roots in Africa and Asia, domino became popular in Europe in the 19th century. It is believed that it was introduced to England by French prisoners toward the end of that period. The game eventually spread throughout the world.

Domino’s is best known for its pizza, but the company also operates several other food franchises and has a stake in several retail stores. In addition, it owns and operates a network of warehouse distribution centers. Its corporate headquarters is in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

When Tom Monaghan founded Domino’s in 1960, he named the chain after himself because he liked to think of himself as the “domino in charge.” After growing up in foster care, he worked numerous jobs before buying a small pizza restaurant in Ann Arbor. The store did well and, after some tweaking, became the largest Domino’s in the United States. In 2009, the company was facing a crisis, and owner Patrick Doyle sought to revive it by sticking closely to its core values. One of those values is to Champion Our Customers, and he took that seriously, listening closely to complaints and directly addressing them. The effort was a success, and the company rebounded quickly. It has since expanded its presence through a strategy known as fortressing, where it clusters its stores in high-density areas to boost visibility and reduce delivery times. It also limits the number of competitors in a region to maximize growth.