Domino’s UK & Ireland to hire 5,000 seasonal staff as festive drive gains momentum
Company confronts 40th-year headwinds with a recruiting surge, while employees highlight culture and training
Domino’s Pizza Group, the UK master franchise for the U.S. chain, said Friday it will recruit 5,000 seasonal staff across the United Kingdom and Ireland during the festive period as it seeks to lift service levels and momentum after a disappointing 40th year in business. The group’s value has fallen by about a third since the start of the year as weaker consumer demand and higher costs weighed on results.
Delivery drivers, in-store colleagues and pizza makers will be among the roles filled, as the company aims to staff its peak period. It highlighted its store-management training program, The Academy, which has supported more than 500 employees since its 2022 launch. Nicola Frampton, chief operating officer, said: "We're celebrating 40 years as the UK's no.1 pizza delivery brand but, as always, have more of an eye on the future than the past." "We're proud to offer 5,000 seasonal roles across the UK and Ireland as we approach our busy peak season."
David Gregory, a former Army Reserves medic, has spent nearly two decades delivering pizzas for Domino's in Preston. After leaving the forces in 2008, he initially planned to pursue nursing, but found a sense of camaraderie at Domino's that kept him there. He says he loves driving, meeting customers and new staff members, and notes that the job offers flexibility and a strong community. He was named Domino's Driver of the Year in 2018 and, now approaching semi-retirement, says he has no plans to retire completely.
Gregory's story illustrates the appeal of Domino's culture in a tight labor market, where workers increasingly seek roles with flexible hours and a sense of belonging. The company says it has long emphasized opportunity for progression and a supportive environment as ways to attract and retain staff who might be reconsidering education or career paths.
Britain's labor market remains tight, particularly in retail and hospitality. The latest Office for National Statistics data show job losses and a fall in vacancies, underscoring why retailers are turning to seasonal hires to bridge demand with capacity. In response to the broader market, Domino's notes that its training and development initiatives are designed to help employees grow within the business while delivering value to customers.
Frampton also pointed to the long-term strategy behind the recruitment push, saying the group remains focused on the future while celebrating a storied brand. The company has touted its position as the UK's leading pizza delivery brand and says the seasonal recruitment drive aligns with its plan to deliver great quality food, world-class service and value for customers during peak demand.
A Domino's-commissioned survey of about 2,000 people found that 60% of 18- to 27-year-olds believe workplace experience and training matter more for career success than a university degree, and that the same proportion would reconsider university if given the chance again. The findings are cited by Domino's as illustrating why flexible roles in retail and hospitality can be attractive alternatives for young workers weighing education against practical, on-the-job training.
As peak season approaches, Domino's says it will lean on its people, training programs and community culture to sustain service levels while supporting employees in a fluctuating labour market. The company launched its first store in Luton in 1985 and has since expanded across the UK and Ireland, aiming to balance growth with the customer value proposition that has helped it stay at the forefront of the market.
