I learned English by studying Domino’s menus – now I run a shop

A man who spoke almost no English when he arrived in the UK learned the language by studying pizza menus and now runs his own shop.

Alok Yadav, 36, originally from Delhi in India, first took a job with the chain 16 years ago as a shop cleaner while studying for a year-long internship at university.

In 2007, the then student arrived in Britain in 2007 knowing only basic phrases like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.

However, he spent hours learning how to pronounce words like “chicken,” “anchovy,” and “pineapple” to improve his performance at work.

Outside of work, Alok also played role-playing games with his colleagues until he mastered the phrase, “Thank you for choosing Domino’s pizza, my name is Alok, how can I help?”

Once he did this, Alok was able to pick up the phone and take orders that way.

He excelled and was soon promoted to store manager, managing the Portsmouth North End Domino’s branch.

Last Monday, he realized another dream through the company’s Homegrown Heroes programme, opening his own franchise in Swaffham, Norfolk.

“I knew I had to learn the language quickly if I wanted to progress, but it was really hard,” said Alok.

“It was difficult if someone ordered a ‘Meatilicious’ pizza because I couldn’t say it.

“When I was young I had only heard of onions and tomatoes, so I had to learn the names of the other toppings and how to pronounce them.

‘It was not easy. My co-workers were great at helping me learn and I was determined to do it as I really enjoyed working at Domino’s.

“We spent hours in the flat above the shop going through the phone greeting and working on the toppings. So that’s how I learned English.

“After that I gained confidence and quickly rose from team member to supervisor, to store manager within a year.”

Alok even met his partner, Rachel Yadav, while working in a Domino’s store, after falling for her while they were colleagues in Farnham.

Eventually rising through the ranks to area manager, Alok began to get itchy feet and yearned to run his own franchise.

He had become an extremely successful entrepreneur in his own right, opening over 40 stores, including coffee shops and other pizzerias.

But there was always a special place in his heart for Domino’s – so he jumped at the chance to own his own shop through the Homegrown Heroes program.

Alok said, “I was always in touch with my ex-colleagues at Domino’s, so when I heard that Domino’s was recruiting new franchise partners through the Homegrown Heroes program, I just had to get involved.

Determined to move up the ranks at Domino’s, Alok spent hours learning how to pronounce words like “chicken,” “anchovy,” and “pineapple.”

Alok Yadav, 36, opens his very first Domino’s store in Swaffham, 16 years after joining the company as a cleaner

‘It was special to me. Working at Domino’s gave me the business acumen that has served me so well over the years.

“It’s a great place to build a career and has given me opportunities and valuable skills.

“It was my first love when they gave me my first job, so it’s really come full circle now.”

“It’s been an incredible journey for me and I couldn’t be happier.”

Dan Maund, Franchise Development Manager at Domino’s UK & Ireland, said: ‘Alok was one of the first to sign up for the Homegrown Heroes programme, reinforcing his commitment to the brand.

“His entrepreneurial mindset and determination developed during his time at Domino’s has enabled him to open several successful businesses over the years.

“We are proud that Alok has come full circle and opened its first Domino’s store in Swaffham.”