Domino’s opens in northern Bendigo

THE owners of local Domino’s Pizza franchises in Bendigo have increased their number of stories with the opening of the Epsom Village location on Monday. 

The franchisees have been on the lookout for a site in the northern stretch of the city for about the past five years. 

The stores are owned by wife and husband team Lindsay and Jason Tod, who met through working at local Domino’s stores as teenagers. 

“I started in the Bendigo CBD store when I was 15, and he started in the Kangaroo Flat store 20 years ago this December,” said Ms Tod. “I’ve been about 16 years with the company.” 

The couple both worked their way up through the company, working in different roles in stores and offices in different parts of Victoria and Queensland.  

Ms Tod said the pair decided to become franchisees after they got married, moving back to Bendigo in 2018 to buy the Bendigo CBD Kangaroo Flat stores within a few months of each other, and opening the Strathdale location later that year. 

“We kind of came back to our original stomping grounds,” said Ms Tod. “We wanted to come home and have real, live babies of our own, not just store-babies. 

“Obviously Bendigo’s expanding, and being predominantly a delivery business, we’re getting further and further away from our shops. 

“So, we’ve been looking for a site out there, and then one finally became available in Epsom.” 

During the second week of the month beginning 13 November, the store is running a fundraising initiative whereby $1 of each pizza sold will go to a nominated local group, such as Huntly Primary School and Epsom Football Club.  

“Domino’s always looks to give back to the communities in which we operate, and we’ve sponsored many local community and sporting groups throughout our time as franchisees,” said Ms Tod.  

“Epsom will be no exception,” she said. “We are planning a week of ‘dough-raisers’ in November to support groups and organisations in the Epsom and Huntly communities.” 

Ms Tod said the new store will bring about 40 jobs to the area.