Domino’s grabs title of world’s largest pizza chain

Domino’s Pizza has a recipe for success — and bragging rights.

The Ann Arbor-based chain this week announced it had snagged the “largest pizza company in the world” title based on global retail sales of more than $12.2 billion in 2017, according to its fourth quarter and fiscal year analysis.

That means the company vaults past Pizza Hut, owned by Yum Brands, which posted global sales of $12.03 billion, Ad Age reported.

Among other highlights: the fourth quarter saw an 8.8 percent revenue increase compared and was the 96th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth, the company said. Domino’s also added 422 spots: 96 domestically and 326 internationally.

“Without question, we are pleased with our fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 performance — with results that continued to outpace the industry,” said J. Patrick Doyle, president and CEO in a statement. “Our 2017 global retail sales growth and domestic comps outperformed the high-end of our stated three- to five-year outlook. This, along with tremendous net store growth and an incredibly low number of closures, helps validate that our long-term fundamental strength is well intact heading into 2018.”

Domino’s has attributed its success in recent years in part to its efforts to make it easier for people to order pizza, whether online, through a mobile app or via social media.

Doyle is credited with mounting a turnaround, focusing on digital ordering as technology has become key to lock in customers in the restaurant industry. Richard Allison, who heads the international division, becomes CEO on July 1, the company said last month, Bloomberg News reported.

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza has more than 14,800 stores in 85-plus markets, according to its website.