By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

With 23 years of employment with Domino's Pizza under his belt, Doug Fritz knows a thing or two about how to successfully run a pizza business.

The owner of a Domino's location in Salina, Fritz has brought his experience westward after officially taking control of the Hays franchise location -- located at 501 Vine - just a week ago.

"When everything is done right, it's a good experience," said Fritz, who began as a "delivery expert" as a student in college.

The company dates to 1960. Then named DomiNick's, it was owned by Tom and James Monaghan and operated in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The name Domino's was introduced five years later after James Monaghan traded his half of the company to his brother for a used Volkswagen Beetle.

There are more than 8,000 Domino's stores in operation across the globe.

Locally, Domino's has been in Hays since 1984. Brought to town by Inam Haq, the business started out on Main Street and moved to its current location about 20 years later as a way to increase visibility.

"Their new team is very good, very customer-oriented," said Haq, who decided to sell his business so he could spend more time with his family and have more opportunities to travel. "I hope they do very good."

Fritz bought a location in Manhattan in 1993, which he sold four years later, and branched out into Salina in 1995.

"I like the fast pace of the environment," he said. "Pizza making is a lot of fun."

Then, in March, he was given the chance to expand.

"I was at my store over there in Salina and the previous owner called me up and made me an offer, and we went from there," Fritz said of how his relationship with Hays began.

Since that conversation, he has been using his time to become better acquainted with the area and reorganizing his new store.

Without mentioning too many specifics, he said there are "several changes" that will be happening at the store in the future.

Fritz's influence already is noticeable, as he has relocated two members of his Salina staff to oversee business in Hays.

Eric Thompson, who worked with Fritz for three years prior to the move, has taken on the role of the new general manager, while Jeff Wildermuth, a veteran of several pizza restaurants, Fritz said, will serve as assistant general manager.

The Hays store also is looking for "quality people" to join its staff, Fritz said.

Two things that won't change, however, are the store hours - 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday - and phone number, (785) 625-2311.

Although he has no other connections to the community, Fritz is excited about the opportunity to serve Hays.

With the additions to the menu in recent years, such as the American Legends line of pizzas, breadbowl past meals and oven-baked sandwiches, he said now is an exciting time to be a Domino's customer.

"If you haven't tried us in a while, give us a call," Fritz said.