Domino's Pizza chain operator fined for unfair practice
A pedestrian walks by a Domino's Pizza's restaurant in Seoul, Aug. 12. NewsisBy Kim Jae-heunDomino's Pizza Korea's franchise headquarters was fined by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for ordering restaurant owners to renovate their stores' interiors and not contributing to the costs as required by law, according to the country's antitrust agency Thursday.Cheong-O DPK Chairman O Gwang-hyeonThe FTC imposed a 700 million won fine ($522,778) on Cheong-O DPK, the local franchise operator of Domino's Pizza Korea, and ordered it to correct its business practices. Cheong-O DPK also has to pay 1.52 billion won in allotment payments to its franchisees. From October 2014 to July 2021, Cheong-O DPK ordered 70 of its franchisees to renovate their stores. The decision came as Domino's Pizza's U.S. headquarters pushed for the implementation of a theater-themed interior design concept at its restaurants around the world, enabling customers to view the pizza manufacturing process through open kitchens. However, Cheong-O DPK did not pay the required 1.52 billion won out of the total costs of 5.13 bill
