For 10 Years This Man Ordered Pizza Every Day When Employees Suddenly Realize Something Is Not Right
First Choice
A 48 years old man from Salem Oregon named Kirk Alexander was a huge fan of pizza. Every day, he has been eating Domino’s Pizza for about a decade. The staff of Domino’s Pizza, where Alexander always ordered a pizza were shocked when suddenly he stopped ordering a pizza.
A Regular
Alexander ordered pizza regularly, according to the general manager at Domino’s Pizza, Sarah Fuller. They always knew that Alexander ordered because his name was shown on the screen whenever Alexander orders online.
A Regular
Neighbors
Rober Lalonde was one of his neighbors who is living just across the street of his house. Rober told that some of Alexander’s neighbors, including him, would knock on Alexander’s door, but he rarely answered.
Neighbors
Good Guy
According to another neighbor of Alexander, Ben Theodoriches, that Alexander was a reasonably decent person just somewhat distant from all. Alexander visits Ben’s house a handful of times and even helped him fix their computer, and according to Ben, “He was actually good at it.”
Good Guy
Very Familiar
It was almost every day when Alexander ordered a pizza. Sarah said Alexander was very comfortable when it comes to familiarity, and he knows their driver quite well because he is chatting to them at the door.
Very Familiar
11 Days With No Order
They suddenly stopped receiving orders from Kirk for a couple of days, which left them with a negative feeling about it. Initially, they figured Alex might have taken a vacation off, or maybe meeting his family and friend, or being sent on a business trip by his company.
11 Days With No Order
A Friend To The Employees
A few of the delivery men have started to realize that as days passed, Alexander hadn’t put an order for quite some period now and even asked Sarah about it. Sarah found out that it was 11 days since Kirk last ordered pizza upon checking the delivery records.
A Friend To The Employees
Enjoyed Each Item
Sarah knew straight away that something might be wrong with Alexander since it has been 11 days since he last ordered pizza. For years Kirk has always been a regular customer to them, which is why the team knew him well and felt sure of him as a friendly, nice, and quiet man. Fuller said they knew him since he always orders.
Enjoyed Each Item
A Drive-By
According to the team, Kirk was not just their friend, but to them, it was like a family. The team knows him so well that they do know it is not going to be that long if he were to take a holiday. Might it be that he was exhausted from Domino’s and tried ordering from a different pizza place?
A Drive-By
Unanswered
Kirk orders different items from their food selection. He would order the same thing, but also try other items on their menu. What he would order probably depends on his craving for the day. Nonetheless, it was evident how he enjoys the food that’s being served by Domino’s. Being a regular, the staff of the branch also recognizes him as a loyal customer.
Unanswered
Reaching Out To 911
Because it has been too long after his last order, they are already getting worried about their favorite customer. They know he would not be away that much, or he would drop by every once in a while. Going by her intuition that this absence of Fuller was caused by something more serious, Fuller asked one of the employees on duty to go and check Kirk’s place.
Reaching Out To 911
Calling For Help
The employee Fuller sent noticed that there were still lights in the house. She decided to check up on the house, and when she was neared, there is also background noise coming from the television. The person tasked to check up on Kirk was the delivery driver, Tracey Hamblen.
Calling For Help
No Answer
There’s still no response or signs of movement inside the house. Even when they dial in his number, there was no email, and they are just being sent to voicemail. Fuller shared this during the interview with Good Morning America. Tracey is already having a bad feeling about this, so he is thinking of calling 911.
No Answer
Making The Decision
Tracey drove back to the store. That was when he decided to call 911. All staff on duty at that time were anxious, asking questions like “what was going on?” and “what happened?” Everyone seems to be scared and worried at the same time.
Making The Decision
Lucky Charm
It was apparent that something seems amiss. Tracey continued to knock on the door despite nobody answering his knock. He tried over and over but nothing. Tracey’s calls were also being routed to voicemail. It was all effort to reach him, but when he got nothing, he decided to update his colleagues back at the store about it.
Lucky Charm
Sigh Of Relief
His colleagues at the store may be able to give him advice on what to do about the situation. Hamblen said, Okay, I need some guidance with what to do. It may be an emergency.” He recounted telling them what he tried doing and that he received no answer from Kirk regardless of his efforts.
Sigh Of Relief
A Humbling Experience
Hamblen called 911. The call started with, “Good day, this is Hamblen from Domino’s Pizza. We have a customer who regularly orders food from us every day and, it’s been 11 days since he last ordered from us.” After giving the details, the operator immediately called Marion County’s Sheriff’s office.
A Humbling Experience
Explaining The Situation
It may sound weird to the operator, but Hamblen explained that Kirk had been ordering from them for ten years already. This was not normal because it has been 11 days since he last ordered and never missed. He was hoping that the operator would understand the situation and not take it lightly.
Explaining The Situation
Legendary Story
The call was successful, and Marion County’s Sheriff asked his deputies to check Alexander’s house. The police reached Alexander’s place, and they knocked on the front door while calling out Alexander. No one knows what situation they will be presented with.
Legendary Story
Hearing
Sarah explained in her story that the police officers might have heard Alexander crying inside for help. This led to officers breaking the door and calling paramedics. The situation was an emergency, and they rushed Alexander to the hospital for treatment. They also found out on records of the patient that he had suffered minor strokes before.
Hearing
Super Supportive
The response that they heard was very faint, but the sound indicated that this person was asking for help. The officers who broke the door to get in found Kirk on the floor. He was immediately taken to the nearest hospital as soon as the ambulance arrived.
Super Supportive
Found At Last
When the officers saw Kirk lying on the floor, they knew that immediate help was required. They were still able to do something about it, but it will be too late for Alexander if the call and the rescue were not made that day.
Found At Last
Astounding Reward
Nobody knows how long Kirk was lying on the floor. It may have been hours or days. All we know was that the last order he placed was 11 days before he was found again. Alexander did suffer a stroke, and he seemed not to recall the incidents that transpired before his fall.
Astounding Reward
Lucky
The workers at Domino’s were relieved that Kirk was saved by the doctors who attended on him. Fuller said that as a regular customer. Kirk was already treated as a family member. Everyone wishes for Kirk to have a speedy recovery. Kirk was fortunate to have been found that day.
Lucky
Help Recover
The staff of the store thought of ways on how to help Kirk recover swiftly. They thought of sending him cards and flowers. Doing this was also their way of letting him know that they are all wishing him well. The efforts made the team are so heartwarming.
Help Recover
First Day
The team planned a visit to Kirk. Seiber recalled that during the first day that she visited, he was still not feeling optimal. He was constricted to answer with yes or no questions only. Following that visit, they noticed a massive difference in how he was recovering. On the third time that they went to see him, they were able to see him at the rehabilitation center of the hospital and was responding more.
First Day
Very Tired
Seiber commented that “He still looked very tired but he seemed to be doing so much better and was recovering well,” On the other hand, Jenny Fouracre commended the store’s actions. Jenny is the director of public relations at Domino’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She explained that what the staff did is aligned with their standards on customer service.
Very Tired
Proud Of The Team
There are many Domino’s stores across the country, and each branch plays an essential role in their community. As they are serving food, the customers are also developing good relationships with them. And since they are also delivering food at their homes, they will undoubtedly build a rapport with these customers.
Proud Of The Team
Many Stories
The business’ level of customer service is an integral part of their standards. Fouracre proudly shared that this is not the first time that they got a report about their staff helping out customers. They know that many incidents also happened wherein their team did their best to assist in a situation; these may not be as big or as headliner worthy as this story. Jane hoped that with the help of this story, everyone would be reminded of the importance of following their practice and continually perform well.
Many Stories
Doing Their Job
As the story progresses, the staff of the chain does not regard themselves as heroes. They put their efforts into reaching a customer because they can no longer ignore the fact that they are not hearing from him despite being a loyal customer for ten years. For them, it was the right thing to do.
Doing Their Job
Inspiring
The story reached the media, and they thought that this is something worth sharing. They took the time to get more details from the staff and wrote about it. The story of their actions reached everyone in the city. The readers were pleased with the story. The story not only spread out in their town, but this was also sensationalized across the country and soon enough to reach other countries.
Inspiring
Interviews
The heroic deeds of the staff reached Good Morning America! Fuller and Seiber, the assistant manager, were both interviewed by Robin Roberts. They talked about the day that the incident happened. Roberts made sure to tell them that their efforts are appreciated, and she saluted their quick actions.
Interviews
Updates
During the interview, Seiber told Robin Roberts that Alexander was also visited by the Domino’s staff at the hospital. She also shared updates about his current status. They have already seen Alexander thrice in the hospital, despite not knowing him personally.
Updates
Out Of It
During her visits, Kirk was showing signs of weakness. His responses were limited to yes or no only. On the following day that she visited, it seemed like he got much better overnight. On the third day, Kirk had understood a lot better. He was already transferred to the rehabilitation center.
Out Of It
Big Surprise
The employees of Domino’s were surprised by Roberts. Roberts announced that they would be sent to Captain America: Civil War. Together with all employees of the restaurant, they will get to see the movie on the screen.
Big Surprise
Las Vegas
As recognition for their great job, the managers and Tracey Hamblen were invited to the Domino’s Worldwide Rally. This annual convention is held in Las Vegas, and it is exclusive for Domino’s key franchise decision-makers and team members from all over the world. We all agree that they deserve a special treat!
Las Vegas
Appreciation
Domino’s gained popularity from what happened. The employees are receiving a lot of support, compliments, and appreciation for what they did. Even the Marion County Sheriff’s said, “Thanks to the quick actions of Mr. Hamblen, Mr. Alexander is now in a stable condition,”
Appreciation
Personal Thanks
It’s nice to know that people are being acknowledged for going above and beyond their duty, how Hamblen acted, and his willingness to assist others, even going out their way to help. Admittedly, these people are like heroes in their rights! All his efforts were well appreciated, and the Sheriff also thanked him for it.
Personal Thanks
Visiting Often
A particular bond was developed between Alexander and the employees. To the point that they visited Alexander in the hospital. They also made sure that he is getting better, and his condition is improving. The employees would drop by the hospital and take care of their needs, and make sure he knows that they care for him.
Visiting Often
On The Mend
Everyone wishes for Kirk’s speedy recovery. The good news is, we know that he was slowly recuperating in the hospital. He will return to his routine in no time, getting food from Domino’s Pizza, his favorite fast-food chain!
On The Mend