In an area where there seems to be a pizza place on every corner, Tim Brown, owner of Domino’s Pizza, knows he has to be extra special to attract customers.
‘There’s 23 pizza places in my delivery area. Six is usually considered a lot,? he says. ‘But no one can come close to us for service.?
Brown has owned the Lake Orion Domino’s Pizza for a year. His company is called PSI (Product, Service, Image) Pizza. Product, service and image are the key elements in Brown’s successful rise to the top in his short time in Lake Orion.
Domino’s Pizza has a rating system for its franchises. Brown’s franchise has a five star rating. He says out of 8,000 Domino’s, less than 10 percent have that high of a rating.
Experience counts in the pizza business and Brown and his manager, Seth Partaka, each have worked for Domino’s for 10 years.
While Brown was in college, he was a driver for four years, and later he was a manager for four years, a multi-store supervisor for one year and now a franchise owner for one year.
Brown, who grew up in Michigan, was living in Missouri when he heard the store in Lake Orion was going to close. ‘I wanted to come back to the state. It was the right place and the right time. It’s a great opportunity,? he says.
The store looks new and professional. The products are fairly priced. The drivers are uniformed, clean-cut and professional people, according to Brown.
‘Ninety percent of all our pizzas leave the store in less than 20 minutes. Our products are made to order and are as fresh and hot as you can get,? Brown says.
Domino’s offers three different pizza crusts, over 20 toppings, buffalo wings (mild, hot and barbecue), bread sticks, cheesy bread, Cinna Stix for dessert and a full line of Coke products.
Three salads are on the menu (Greek, garden and chicken Caesar). Domino’s is the only company to sell Philly Cheese Steak Pizza and Buffalo Chicken Kickers (all white chicken with buffalo seasoning cooked throughout them).
Domino’s, always an innovator in the pizza business, developed the Heat Wave bag. It keeps the pizza at 170 degrees.
‘That temperature can be maintained for 45 minutes All of our orders go out in these,? Brown says. ‘Our products are guaranteed. If a customer isn’t happy with our products, we’ll remake them or give them a refund,? he says.
Brown is very involved in the Orion and Oxford School Districts. He provides pizza for the elementary schools. He’s handed out over 5,000 coupons to elementary schools for student achievement.
For schools and nonprofit organization looking for fundraising opportunities, he’ll let them keep 90 percent of any sales and with no product inventory.
Brown is also a member of the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce.
Since Brown bought the Lake Orion store the best technology in heat racks, cutting table and the ‘make? line has been installed. He’ll soon a have a triple stack oven that will allow him to make 200 pizzas an hour.
His state-of-the-art computer system allows him to keep track of orders, inventory, marketing and even has a mapping system that directs his drivers right to the spot of the delivery. Soon to come is a new program allowing online ordering.
Domino’s Pizza is located at 664 South Lapeer Road. Phone 248-693-1220 or fax 248-693-8274. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m, on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-midnight, on Sunday from 3 p.m.-11 p.m.