The end of an era: Domino’s Pizza is leaving Austria

Emotional farewell message

“Dear Domino’s fans, we regret to inform you that all pizzas have been eaten,” says the company’s surprising announcement, which was published on Tuesday. With a pizza and heart emoji, the team thanks you for “your support, your orders and all the pizza moments together over the last few years.” They want to “continue to be there for customers as usual” until the deadline of May 31st – little consolation for the brand’s loyal fans.

Short history in Austria

Domino’s market entry in Austria began in November 2017 with great ambitions. The first branch opened in Vienna’s 21st district of Floridsdorf on Angerer Straße. The Austrian business was operated by Daufood Austria GmbH as a local franchise partner.

In the following years, the chain expanded to a total of ten locations – but exclusively in the federal capital Vienna. Branches in Favoriten (Favoritenstraße 88-90), on Kagraner Platz, on Klosterneuburger Straße and other locations provided the Viennese with American pizza based on the Domino’s recipe.

Special offers were unsuccessful

With fresh ingredients, fresh dough and promotions such as the daily “Happy Hour” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 30 percent discount, Domino’s tried to establish itself in the highly competitive Viennese pizza market. A student discount and the opportunity to create individual pizzas using your own app should also appeal to young target groups.

Orders were possible not only via the company’s own website dominos.at and the Domino’s app, but also via delivery platforms such as Lieferando and Foodora.

Tough competition on the Vienna market

But apparently this wasn’t enough to permanently assert itself against the established competition. The Viennese pizza market is considered particularly competitive – in addition to numerous Italian restaurants and local pizzerias, other international chains and Austrian delivery services also compete for customers’ favor.

The limitation to Vienna and the lack of expansion into other Austrian federal states indicate that the business never reached the hoped-for dimensions.

Over 10,000 locations worldwide

While Domino’s is failing in Austria, the chain founded in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1960 operates more than 10,000 stores in over 65 countries worldwide. The company is considered one of the largest pizza delivery services in the world and continues to expand into new markets. The withdrawal from Austria is therefore an exception – and a clear sign that even global fast food giants cannot be successful in every market.

Last chance for pizza fans

There are only a few days left for Domino’s lovers in Vienna to have their favorite pizza delivered one last time. From June 1, 2026, the American pizza chain will be history in Austria.