Pizza and Possibilities: Domino’s Franchisee Inspires the Next Generation of Kids to Follow Their Dreams
On Jan. 28, class was in session at Domino’s in Winston, Oregon, for a pre-K class from Looking Glass Elementary. Angelique Martinez, the local owner of Domino’s in Winston, hosted a free pizza school where students learned about food sources, store operations, preparation and were able to create their own personal pizzas!
“Feeding people is truly a blessing and being able to give back and inspire groups of kids is beyond rewarding,” Martinez shared.
She was inspired to host pizza school and after sharing the concept with her sister, who is a preschool teacher, it became reality. Now throughout the year, Martinez hosts different classes of all ages to teach kids about food and how following their dreams – any dream – can lead to success and happiness!
“I want to inspire kids to follow their dreams for whatever they are passionate about,” Martinez said. “I grew up thinking the only way someone is successful is by becoming a police officer, lawyer or firefighter. While these are very noble professions, I hope to teach kids that there are even more pathways in life that are also important and give you purpose. Domino’s gave me that purpose, place and pathway. So, now I host pizza school to help kids learn about food and show them that there are many routes to go in life if you follow your passion. I really hope to change the perception for the next generation so they can follow their dreams, whatever they may be, lawyer or pizza maker!”
Before the class, their teacher divided students into three groups. Each group visited three unique stations in store designed to be interactive and offer sensory learning experiences.
“When we have the kids in store, we want to make sure they are having fun with hands on learning experiences,” Martinez said. “During the first station, our store tour, we take the group into our dry storage area to explore products. Allowing them to touch closed packages and see new things is important. This is a fun safe place for them, and they might not get this opportunity anywhere else.”
The store tour also included learning about store operations and where food comes from as well as Domino’s history. At the second station, kids participated in an “Avoid the Noid Dough Toss.” This is a fun game Martinez created, where kids toss unusable dough at Domino’s archrival, the Noid. The final station was pizza making, where children learned about food safety and how to make their own pizza masterpieces.
“We have the kids line up and all wash their hands. From there they each head over to their own designated workstation, where a dough patty is waiting for them,” Martinez said. “I teach them our dough stretching techniques, and then I show them how to sauce and add toppings to the pizza. I always explain to them that it is okay if we have different processes to get to the same outcome. So, they should add sauce and toppings to their pizza however they like, because it’s their pizza! It’s so much fun! We have pizzas that range from very neatly made to crazy artwork. One fifth grader was so good, I said he should come back and see me in a few years!”
After the groups finished rotations at each station, the students gathered in the lobby, where Martinez gave them goody bags filled with Domino’s-branded items, a Junior Pizza Maker Certificate, and gift certificates for one small one-topping pizza and a 16-piece order of Bread Bites for the student and one large two-topping pizza for their parent or guardian.
About Angelique Martinez
Martinez began her journey as a two-day-a-week store opener at Domino’s in Sutherlin, Oregon in 2016. At the time she was a single mother commuting to work by bicycle. With dedication, resilience and grit she advanced within the brand. Martinez proudly owns her first Domino’s store in Winston and is dedicated to giving back.
For more information about working at Domino’s, visit jobs.dominos.com.