Mendes is the first woman to win the competition, with a record-breaking time of 39.2 seconds
Domino’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world, awarded the 2024 World’s Fastest Pizza Maker title to its new champion, Joana Mendes, among top competitors from across the globe at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas on May 8, 2024. Mendes, an assistant manager at Domino’s in Ipswich, England, is the first woman to win the competition, making three large pizzas in a record-breaking 39.2 seconds! Mendes won $5,000 in prize money, a trophy, championship belt and the renowned title of World’s Fastest Pizza Maker, presented by Domino’s Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner.
“This title means everything to me,” said Mendes. “For the past two years I have been training very hard and became the first female to win the United Kingdom’s Fastest Pizza Maker competition. From there, my goal was to take it to the next level and be the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker. I had the best people by my side to show me the process and have now achieved one of the biggest goals in my life.”
World’s Fastest Pizza Maker finalists assemble from Domino’s stores across the globe to compete in a riveting showcase of pizza-making mastery. Finalists prepare three large pizzas – one pepperoni, one mushroom and one cheese – by hand-stretching dough, saucing, and placing toppings as quickly as possible. While speed is important, it is not the only piece of the pie in determining the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker. Quality is closely scrutinized as two highly qualified judges in Domino’s pizza-making practices grade participants on three criteria: dough/sauce, portioning of toppings and placement.
“The World’s Fastest Pizza Maker competition celebrates our Dominoids who have taken their pizza-making skills to unparalleled heights,” said Frank Garrido, Domino’s executive vice president – chief restaurant officer. “The awe-inspiring speed and precision these competitors demonstrate is a testament to Domino’s focus on delivering exceptional results. Our franchise owners employ some of the greatest pizza makers in the world, and we are so proud to name Joana as our 2024 World’s Fastest Pizza Maker.”
Domino’s began the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker competition in 1982 to honor pizza makers who best exemplify the company’s philosophy of keeping efficiency in the store to allow sufficient time for safe, timely pizza delivery.
Mendes started working for Domino’s as a customer service representative in 2015. She currently works for Domino’s Pizza Group (DPG) – Domino’s master franchise in the United Kingdom. Mendes was mentored by Pali Grewal, one of the largest franchisees under DPG, who was previously crowned the World’s Fastest Pizza Maker in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
About Domino’s Pizza®
Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with a significant business in both delivery and carryout pizza. It ranks among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 20,700 stores in over 90 markets. Domino’s had global retail sales of over $18.5 billion for the trailing four quarters ended March 24, 2024. Its system is comprised of independent franchise owners who accounted for 99% of Domino’s stores as of the end of the first quarter of 2024. In the U.S., Domino’s generated more than 85% of U.S. retail sales in 2023 via digital channels and has developed several innovative ordering platforms including seven unique ways to order Domino’s.
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