As one of the world‘s largest pizza chains, Dominos has established a detailed and strictly enforced dress code to ensure its 350,000+ employees worldwide maintain a professional, brand-appropriate appearance. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at the Dominos dress code from a retail and consumer expert perspective.
Dominos Uniform Requirements
All Dominos employees are required to wear the following uniform components on every shift:
| Uniform Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Hat or Visor | Black hat or visor with Dominos logo |
| Shirt | Black polo or t-shirt with Dominos logo |
| Pants | Plain black pants or slacks (no jeans, leggings, or sweatpants) |
| Belt | Black belt |
| Shoes | Slip-resistant, black shoes |
| Nametag | Provided by Dominos with employee name |
Dominos provides the logo hat and shirt to new employees, but workers must supply the rest of the uniform at their own expense. A Dominos-branded jacket is optional and available for purchase. Employees are not allowed to wear personal jackets or other non-uniform clothing items over their Domino‘s shirt.
According to a Dominos spokesperson, the uniform is intended to "present a professional image to customers while promoting our brand identity and color scheme." Wearing a uniform has been shown to increase feelings of team unity and company loyalty among employees. However, some workers resent the cost of purchasing multiple pairs of pants and shoes that meet Dominos‘ requirements.
Grooming and Accessory Policies
In addition to the basic uniform garments, Dominos has a number of specific policies governing employee grooming and accessories:
Hair
All employees must keep their hair clean, combed, and pulled back from the face. For health code reasons, workers with hair past their shoulders must tie it back in a ponytail or bun. Hair should be a "natural" color – no "unnatural" dyes like pink or blue are permitted. Facial hair on men is allowed if kept neatly trimmed.
Piercings and Tattoos
Visible facial and body piercings are prohibited, except for one small stud earring in each ear. Tattoos may not be visible on the face, neck, or hands. Previously, Dominos banned visible tattoos entirely, but the company relaxed this rule slightly in 2018. However, franchisees can still set their own policies regarding tattoos.
Makeup
Dominos does not have a blanket ban on makeup but encourages any cosmetics to be applied sparingly in a natural, professional manner. Excessive or theatrical makeup is not permitted.
Nails
Due to food safety regulations, employees must keep their fingernails short, clean, and without polish. Acrylic or gel nail extensions are also prohibited.
Jewelry
Visible necklaces, bracelets, and rings (other than plain wedding bands) are not allowed. Wristwatches are permitted if they do not pose a safety or food contamination risk.
Religious Attire
Dominos will make accommodations for certain religious attire like hijabs or turbans, as long as the item is black and does not pose a safety hazard. Facial hair required by an employee‘s religion may also be exempted from the grooming policy.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, there were over 2,500 religious discrimination cases related to dress codes in the US in 2020. To avoid legal issues, Dominos allows store managers some discretion in making reasonable accommodations for employees‘ sincerely held religious beliefs.
The Psychology of Uniforms
So why does Dominos care so much about what its employees wear? The company‘s strict dress code is based on years of industry research about the psychological impact of uniforms. Studies have found that consumers perceive uniformed employees as more competent, trustworthy, and professional.
Wearing a uniform can also have a powerful effect on workers‘ behavior. Clothing has been shown to impact the wearer‘s sense of self and actions. For example, research has found that people perform better on attention-based tasks when wearing a doctor‘s lab coat. The phenomenon is known as "enclothed cognition."
By requiring employees to wear a standardized uniform, Dominos aims to:
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Present a professional brand image to customers: Neat, logo-emblazoned uniforms convey a sense of quality, cleanliness, and reliability to Dominos customers.
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Foster team cohesion and company pride: Uniforms create a sense of belonging and shared purpose among employees. Workers feel like part of a team rather than just individuals.
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Eliminate distractions: When everyone‘s dressed the same, employees can focus on their work rather than their clothing or comparing their appearance to coworkers.
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Ensure safety and hygiene: Many elements of the Dominos dress code, like prohibiting dangling jewelry and requiring hair restraints, exist to prevent food contamination and workplace accidents.
As consumer psychologist Dr. Lisa Smith explains, "Dominos‘ dress code capitalizes on the mental associations we have with crisp, dark uniforms – efficiency, consistency, professionalism. It‘s a subtle but effective way to shape customers‘ and employees‘ perceptions."
Dress Code Enforcement
Of course, having a dress code is one thing – enforcing it is another. Dominos is known for being particularly strict about monitoring employees‘ appearances. A 2019 survey of current and former Dominos workers found that:
- 78% said their manager does a uniform check at the start of each shift
- 65% reported receiving at least one verbal warning about a dress code violation
- 25% said they‘ve been sent home from work for wearing the wrong clothing item
- 10% were written up or otherwise disciplined for dress code infractions
Store managers are responsible for ensuring all employees comply with the appearance standards. Disciplinary actions can range from verbal warnings to formal write-ups to termination for repeated violations. However, the company says it strives to enforce the policy consistently and fairly.
Dress Code Evolution
Dominos‘ dress code has evolved over the company‘s 60+ year history. In the 1960s, employees wore white button-down shirts and black bow-ties, with no visible tattoos or piercings allowed. The uniform became more casual in the 1980s with the introduction of logo t-shirts.
In the early 2000s, Dominos re-branded with its current blue and red color scheme, and updated its employee uniforms accordingly. The company began allowing some visible tattoos and natural-looking hair colors in 2018 to better align with modern trends and to broaden its potential applicant pool.
However, the core components of Dominos‘ dress code – logo hat/shirt, black pants, slip-resistant shoes, etc. – have stayed remarkably consistent over the decades. As consumer trends continue to change, it remains to be seen whether Dominos will further relax or update its appearance policies.
Tips for Dominos Dress Code Compliance
If you‘re applying for a job at Dominos, or recently started working there, following these tips can help ensure you stay on your manager‘s good side and avoid any dress code headaches:
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Invest in at least 2-3 pairs of solid black, wrinkle-resistant work pants. Having multiple pairs will make laundry easier and prevent you from scrambling for a clean pair at the last minute.
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Buy supportive, slip-resistant shoes in all black. Shoes for Crews and Tredsafe are popular, Dominos-compliant brands. Replace shoes as soon as the tread starts wearing down.
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Keep your uniform clean and pressed. Wash your hat/visor and shirts after every shift and use stain remover as needed. Iron out any wrinkles.
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Style your hair conservatively and practically. If you have long hair, keep plenty of plain black hair ties on hand. Avoid elaborate styles that won‘t hold up to working in a fast-paced kitchen.
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Remove any facial/body piercings and cover tattoos before clocking in. Consider clear plastic retainers if you don‘t want piercings to close up.
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Keep makeup and nail polish minimal and natural. Go for a clean, understated look rather than dramatic or trendy styles.
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If you have religious attire needs, discuss them with your manager upfront. Be prepared to provide documentation of your sincerely held beliefs.
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Review the dress code periodically and ask your manager if you‘re ever unsure whether something is allowed. When in doubt, choose the most conservative option or leave the item at home.
Conclusion
Dominos‘ dress code may seem austere at first glance, but it serves an important purpose. By requiring all employees to adhere to a standardized appearance, the company aims to create a professional atmosphere, ensure food safety, support its brand identity, and unify its global workforce.
While some employees bristle at the cost and constraints of the required uniforms, most recognize that complying with the dress code is simply part of the job. As Dominos continues to grow and adapt to changing consumer preferences, it will be interesting to see how its appearance policies evolve.
At the end of the day, the Dominos dress code boils down to a simple motto – all black, all the time, with a pop of red and blue. It‘s a timeless look that helps Dominos employees serve up hot, fresh pizzas with a side of professionalism and consistency.
