Automation and the Human Touch: The Evolution of Domino's Pizza Production

Introduction

Domino's Pizza, one of the world's largest pizza chains, has long been known for its efficient and affordable pizza-making process. Traditionally, a dozen workers would touch each ball of dough as it made its way down the production line. However, in the brand new $50 million facility in Indiana, cutting-edge machines now measure, move, and stack pizza dough, reducing the need for extensive manual labor. This shift comes amid fierce competition in the pizza industry and a growing struggle to find enough workers, especially for physically demanding and lower-paying roles. With Super Bowl day being one of the busiest days for Domino's Pizza, the automation systems are put to the ultimate test.

The Rise of Automation in Pizza Production

Domino's Pizza is a major player in the fast-food industry, producing approximately one billion pizzas annually worldwide. Its success can be attributed to the control it exercises over its entire supply chain, from dough making to delivery. In contrast to its older centers, the new Indiana facility boasts impressive automation, making the process more efficient and consistent. The 110,000 square-foot location, opened in October 2022, represents a $15 million investment and has already proven its worth by significantly improving productivity and product quality.

Automated Dough Making

In the new facility, mixing machines automatically blend flour, water, oil, salt, and sugar, following a top-secret pre-packaged recipe. This automated process yields 50 batches of dough daily, equating to a staggering 88,000 pizzas for customers each day. The dough is then placed on trays by robots, eliminating the need for manual labor previously required for this task.

Spiral Chiller for Efficient Cooling

To ensure optimal quality, the dough undergoes a cooling process in a massive spiral chiller. With approximately 3,000 feet of conveyor belts, this chilling system can cool 40,000 trays of dough simultaneously. Unlike freezing, the chilling process slows the proofing process caused by yeast activation, maintaining the dough's desired consistency.

Automated Sorting and Labeling

A set of cameras continuously monitor the dough balls to avoid sticking, ensuring that they are correctly placed on the trays. Additionally, an automated labeling system marks each tray with the dough type and production date, streamlining inventory management.

Impact on Labor Shortage and Workforce Efficiency

The shift towards automation has enabled Domino's to produce more pizzas with fewer employees, a crucial advantage given the ongoing labor crisis faced by the food industry. The pandemic exacerbated staffing challenges, leading to a deficit of 1.2 million workers in the U.S. restaurant industry by early 2021. Automation has not only improved efficiency but also created safer and less physically demanding work environments for employees, making the job more appealing to potential candidates.

Balancing Automation with the Human Touch

While automation has proven beneficial in certain areas, Domino's recognizes that certain aspects of pizza production still require the human touch. In-store experiences remain customer-centric, with pizza chefs handcrafting each pie to maintain quality and authenticity. Moreover, the company's commitment to fast and reliable delivery services has prompted investments in driver training programs, fleet management, and electric delivery vehicles.

Automation in the Future of Fast Food

Domino's success in blending automation and human labor provides insight into the future of fast food. Other major fast-food chains have already started integrating robots into their operations, from cooking to drive-through order-taking. While automation can enhance efficiency and reduce costs, it also raises concerns about potential job displacement. Nevertheless, automating repetitive and hazardous tasks can lead to a more motivated and skilled workforce, creating better opportunities for employees within the company.

Conclusion

Domino's Pizza stands as a prime example of how automation and technology can revolutionize the food industry. Embracing automation in dough-making and supply chain management has improved efficiency, quality, and employee working conditions. While there are valid concerns about job displacement, the right balance between automation and the human touch can lead to a more successful, productive, and customer-focused fast-food industry.