DWLA Woman Leader Spotlight Story:
Zibaa Darwish – From CSR to Franchisee
Interviewed by: Kimberly Sharma-Singh
Written by: Kelly Ramos
When Zibaa arrived in the United States in July 2016 from Syria with her husband and two young daughters, her dreams were simple: support her family and build a better future. Just two days after landing, her husband began working at a local Domino’s, unknowingly starting what would become a defining chapter in their lives.
Zibaa’s journey with Domino’s started by answering phones during school hours to help pay the bills. At the time, it was just a temporary role, something to fill the gap until her daughters graduated. But Domino’s had other plans. What began as a short-term job slowly grew into a deep passion. As the brand evolved, so did Zibaa’s vision for her place within it. “Any time I had a thought about how things could work better; I’d see the brand already moving in that direction. It felt like we were growing together,” she recalls.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed. She became an opening manager, then a general manager in 2019. By 2020, she completed Franchise Management School (FMS) but chose instead to become a minority partner in two stores. She returned to FMS in 2023—and this time, she was ready. In 2024, Zibaa became a franchisee, proudly opening her first store in Birmingham, Alabama.
The store—located in a high-security area—has become what she calls “the turning point” of her career. Growing the store to over $6,000 in AWUS during her first year as a franchisee, Zibaa credits her success to perseverance, community support, and the strength of her family. “If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere,” she says with confidence.
A true family operation, her husband continues to work alongside her, and her daughters lend a hand whenever they can. Zibaa explains that none of this would have been possible without them. She gives credit to her husband for working long hours so she could buy the store, and her daughters never gave her any stress. They truly built this together.
Zibaa is especially grateful for the unwavering support she’s received from the Domino’s community, including Steve Hall and his team. She recalls one moment in particular—Steve walking into her store holding a bag of sausage because he noticed the inventory was low the night before. “He didn’t want me to wait for the truck. That’s the kind of support that changes everything.”
Looking ahead, Zibaa is preparing herself for the next opportunity. “Whenever the time comes, I’m ready for store number two,” she says. And with her family behind her, and the Domino’s community beside her, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to rise.
Zibaa Darwish is a shining example of the possibilities within the Domino’s brand. Her journey from answering phones to becoming a successful franchisee is a testament to the resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit that define so many women in operations.
Zibaa embodies the grit it takes to achieve not only our personal goals but also to build a better future for the people we love. Her story reminds us that with hard work, support, and vision, anything is possible.
Thank you, Zibaa, for being a remarkable leader and an inspiration within the Domino’s and DWLA community.
