VESTAVIA HILLS – David Dawoud, owner of a nine-store Domino’s Pizza franchise, has an impressive claim on the American dream. An immigrant from Jordan who has been a U.S. citizen since 1990, Dawoud began his career with Domino’s as a delivery driver in college. “I was able to franchise my first store in Cahaba Heights back in 1995, and I worked my way up to where I am right now with the nine stores and still growing,” Dawoud said. His other stores are in Liberty Park, Fultondale, Gardendale, Dora, Hueytown, Fairfield, Oxford and Anniston.

Today, Dawoud was honored as the Silver Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category during the Alabama Retail Day awards luncheon, where Gov. Kay Ivey served as the keynote speaker. Domino’s Pizza was one of 14 retail businesses honored today as Retailers of the Year. This year’s winners came from a pool of more than 70 nominees.

For the 2019 Retailer of the Year judges, Dawoud’s franchise was considered one of the most impressive submissions. “It is important that you know your business from the bottom up, and he started at the bottom,” said one of the judges. The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities.

Dawoud has also helped former employees follow in his footsteps from pizza delivery to franchisee. “I’m so proud that I have so many employees and managers who worked for me and have achieved their American Dream. They are Domino’s Pizza franchisees all over the state of Alabama,” he said.

“I first met David at a chamber luncheon where he was a partner in education with one of the schools,” said Karen Odle, president and chief executive officer of Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce, who nominated him for the award. Recognizing the generosity and support police and fire departments and other groups receive from Dawoud’s Domino’s Pizza stores, she said, “They have been great community partners. We are blessed to have them as part of the Vestavia Hills business community.”

Today Dawoud is one of the most successful Domino’s franchisees in Alabama. Notably, as he achieved success over the years, he was able to purchase a home in the same affluent neighborhood where he once delivered pizzas. “That was the American dream. I never thought I would get to that,” Dawoud said.

“David Dawoud is a retailer who stands out every day for Domino’s Pizza customers, his 225 employees, the Vestavia Hills community and all of the communities where his stores are located,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

Other 2019 Retail Day Honorees
Previous Retailers of the Year

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,200 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Dawoud, Domino’s Pizza | 205-999-1220
Nancy King Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.868.2195 | 800.239.5423