Reece Arroyave's story still begins the same way it always has — with a pizza flyer. At 12 years old, he walked door to door in Libertyville, handing out Domino's coupons for his older sister's manager. That small job sparked something big: by 24, he'd franchised his first store. At his peak, he ran 36 locations across Chicagoland.

This year, that legacy got a little bigger. On Memorial Day, Reece opened a brand-new store on the east side of Algonquin—store number nine, which includes the South Elgin Domino's that's becoming something of a family training ground.

It's been a big year for Reece's family too. His daughter graduated high school this spring and is headed to the University of Missouri this August. His son graduated eighth grade and will start at Marmion Academy this fall. Right on schedule with the Arroyave family rule—every kid starts working in one of dad's stores at 14, even if it's just one shift a week. His son is already a few weeks into training at the South Elgin location.

Reece has never been shy about admitting the road here wasn't smooth. The 2008–2009 recession nearly broke him. Then the Covid season in 2020 wiped out half his workforce overnight.

That grit still runs through Reece, whose motto, “Passion, Heart & Pride,” shows up in the community with school lunch donations, team sponsorships, and the South Elgin Fire Department's annual pizza-delivery-by-firetruck tradition.

These days, one of Reece's greatest joys has little to do with running restaurants and everything to do with spending time alongside his children. Soccer has become a shared passion that brings the family together, whether they're traveling to watch international matches or cheering from the sidelines closer to home. In June, the family traveled to Dallas to watch England take on Croatia in the World Cup, as well as Miami to cheer on his native Colombia as they faced Portugal. Back home, the excitement continued as both of his sons competed in the ECNL Soccer Regionals in St. Louis, working toward a chance to play in the national competition in West Virginia. For Reece, it's not just about the game—it's about making memories together and supporting his children as they pursue their own goals.

That same entrepreneurial spirit is already taking root in the next generation. Reece is especially proud of his two sons, Mason and Matthew, who recently launched M&M Home Services in their neighborhood. What began as a simple snow-blowing business has grown into a garbage can cleaning service, with the boys investing their own money in a power washer, cleaning supplies, and equipment. Rather than simply giving his sons opportunities, Reece has encouraged them to earn them—teaching the value of hard work, responsibility, and taking pride in serving their neighbors.

Reece's greatest accomplishment isn't measured by the number of Domino's stores he owns, but by the example he sets for his children. Through hard work, resilience, generosity, and a willingness to start small, he's showing them that success is built one opportunity at a time. Watching his sons launch their own business is proof that the lessons he learned delivering pizza flyers years ago are becoming part of the next generation's story.

For Reece, that's the real win — not the ninth store, not the soccer trips, but watching his kids build something with their own hands, the same way he once did.

Domino's Pizza – South Elgin: 847-289-2200 or order@dominos.com

A Domino's Pizza franchise owner who began franchising at age 24 and now owns nine stores across Chicagoland, including the South Elgin location.

South Elgin, IL, along with a newly opened store on the east side of Algonquin.

Call 847-289-2200 or email order@dominos.com.

Jennifer helps local businesses grow through community-driven marketing that actually feels like community — not just another ad. Based in the Fox River Valley after being born and raised in Chicago, she specializes in print-based advertising, neighborhood magazines, and alternative marketing strategies designed for business owners who want real relationships with their customers, not just impressions.

Through printed features, networking events, and community-driven storytelling, Jennifer connects Northern Illinois businesses to the neighbors right down the street — building trust the old-fashioned way, with a modern approach.

Know a business with a story worth telling, or curious about print-based and community-driven marketing for your own business? Contact Jennifer at Jennifer.Abbatacola@N2co.com