Pizza chain Domino's has decided to scrap its halal menu after a short trial in three stores led to poor sales. The chain had infuriated some regular customers 18 months ago when it introduced the halal menu into its branch in Hall Green in Birmingham, forcing the removal of pizzas that contained pork in addition to serving only halal meats on their pizzas.
In a letter to residents of the area the company announced "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the store is no longer serving a halal menu. Dominos Pizza Group decided to trial a halal menu in Hall Green and two other stores in 2009, but it hasn't had the impact expected and the company has reluctantly decided to return to a conventional Domino's menu in all three stores. This has not been an easy decision for us and we are sorry for an inconvenience."
Amongst those who were against the introduction of the menu originally we pizza lover Chris Yates, who came to prominence after being refused a 'Meateor' pizza in February from the Hall Green branch. He commented "It's good to see Domino's have seen sense so that their customers can enjoy their best pizzas. They may have trialled the halal-only meat to please their Muslim customers, but I'm sure a lot of other people felt discriminated against because they couldn't have what they wanted. Pizzas like the Meateor, Pepperoni and Hawaiian are classic toppings which shouldn't have been taken off the menu in the first place. It was as if I wasn't allowed ham or pork on my pizza encase I offended someone. It did seem pretty unfair on non-Muslim pizza lovers, so for Dominos to recognise that it hasn't been successful and stick to what they do best is a welcome move as far as I'm concerned."
However the decision will come as a blow to Muslim pizza fans, who can now no longer order from the chain again.