Domino’s opens in Puhi

PUHI — When doors to the Domino’s Pizza opened Tuesday afternoon, the pizzeria at the Hokulei Village became the 23rd Domino’s outlet in Hawaii.

“We’ve been building a lot,” said Mike Rompel, the Domino’s franchisee. “We’ve gone to the Neighbor Islands — anywhere that people want us.”

The 4,000-square-foot store anchors a leg of the Hokulei Village Shopping Center, and offers pizza lovers the option of carrying out, delivery, or sit-down enjoyment.

“We’re ready,” said Jason Mayeshira, the Domino’s Operating Partner. “We want to make Domino’s a destination for pizza. We offer a variety of items, including pizza for diners to enjoy.”

Selections include specialty pizzas, Penne Pasta, bread sides, chicken, salads, oven baked sandwiches, and desserts.

“We make our dough, daily,” Mayeshira said. “Domino’s is quality, and value.”

At the heart of Domino’s is a space designed for parties with a capacity of about 50 people and the ability to overflow into the dining area.

“While we were building out, we looked around,” said Rompel. “What we found was there was no place a kid could have a birthday party. We incorporated that into our building plans.”

Mayeshira said through word-of-mouth, he already got a phone call to reserve the space for a party in January, proving that the party space was something people were looking for.

Delivery service is available through a fleet of electric bicycles as well as automobiles.

“This is a good way for people to enter the business,” Rompel said. “You might have just gotten here and don’t really have enough to even get a car. You can be a delivery person to save enough to get a car and get started.”

Rompel said employment at Domino’s is more than business.

“We teach people how to work,” Rompel said. “We teach them how to run a business and eventually get to a point where they can depend on themselves. At that point, they become franchisees and have their own business. Jason is one of those people who is in training to become a franchisee.”

Mayeshira said customer service is paramount at Domino’s.

“Four seconds,” he said. “When a customer enters, we greet them and make eye contact in four seconds to make them feel welcome.”

Domino’s Pizza is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the hours are from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Watch for another story and more photos in the TGIFR!DAY section of Friday’s paper.

Information: 212-1010.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.