Dodo: From Basement to Billion. How a Small Pizzeria from Syktyvkar Became a Global Company

The story of Dodo Pizza began in the basement of an unassuming building in Syktyvkar, where its first delivery-only outlet opened its doors. Over the course of nearly 15 years, Dodo has not only established itself as the undisputed leader of the Russian pizza market but has also evolved into a truly international enterprise. Dodo Pizza is loved and cherished across Russia and Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Indonesia, Romania and Slovenia, Nigeria and Turkey—and in many other countries around the globe. In 2024, total sales reached $1 billion, and the chain now operates more than 1,200 restaurants worldwide. "Ordinary life is over. It no longer exists," Ovchinnikov wrote in his blog when he first set out to become an entrepreneur. And indeed, both his own destiny and the history of his company have turned out to be anything but ordinary. The book *Dodo: From Basement to Billion* offers a candid, honest, and unvarnished account of the history of this remarkable company. This story proves that in this world, nothing is ever truly predetermined or permanently settled. It is possible to realize even the most ambitious plans—even if you start out in a basement. The key is not to be afraid to dream big—and never to give up. Who is this book for? For anyone interested in the inner workings of Russian business who wants to witness a company’s growth journey firsthand—from its inception to its expansion into the global market. For entrepreneurs and business leaders. And for anyone with a startup idea and the desire to launch their own business.