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Domino’s Pizza plans March opening in Fairmont

FAIRMONT — Domino’s Pizza soon will be opening in Fairmont.

Franchise owner Ryan Hawkins of Coon Rapids plans to open the store on March 16 at 117 Downtown Plaza, the former Krisma Counseling building.

“In a town like Fairmont, I think it’s crucial to be in the downtown area. It’s good for the community. It’s good for us,” he said.

Converting office space into a quick serve restaurant in an 80-year-old building is no small task.

“The building itself is solid, but bringing it up to code, that’s a big project,” Hawkins said. “It’s all new HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning). It’s all new glass. It’s complete, front to back, top to bottom.”

When the renovation is finished, there will be a small seating area for about a dozen guests, plus a waiting area for people who are picking up an order.

The store will open daily at 10:30 a.m. and close at midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. Delivery service will be offered during all operating hours.

And that will take a lot of employees. Hawkins, who anticipates needing at least six delivery drivers on weekend nights, estimates that he will need 20-30 employees, half of whom would be full-time. While delivery drivers are required to be 18 years of age, employees must be 16 years of age or older to work in the store.

“It’s a very flexible job,” Hawkins said. “We get all walks of life. We get high school kids. We get people who are retired. We get people who just want a little extra cash.”

The store currently is accepting applications. Applications should text PIZZA to (507) 200-4949.

Hawkins is no stranger to the Domino’s Pizza corporation. Fairmont will be his second store, having opened one in Worthington in May.

“I’ve actually been with Domino’s for 20 years,” he said. “I’ve held a variety of roles, from delivery driver to store manager to area supervisor. I just decided to become a franchisee.”

The company was founded in 1960 in Michigan and has become the largest worldwide pizza seller based on sales. There are about 15,000 stores in more than 80 countries, with more than one-third of those stores in the United States.

“The brand is so hot right now,” said Hawkins, adding that one of the most popular menu items is the carry-out special for a three-topping large pizza for $7.99. “One thing people don’t realize is that we’re actually one of the biggest tech users. It’s crazy how many people use the Domino’s app to order. It’s so easy to use.”

This is not the first time that Fairmont has had a Domino’s Pizza. About 25 years ago, there was a store on Albion Avenue next to the Dairy Freeze, and about 15 years ago, one briefly was located in a gas station at the State Street/Blue Earth Avenue intersection.

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