NORTH BEND – While most 22 year olds are ordering pizza from college dorm rooms, J.P. Thornburg is busy running his own Domino’s Pizza restaurant.

It’s been nearly a year since Thornburg bought the North Bend Domino’s at 228 West North Bend Way. Last week he turned 23.

The Elko, Nev., native worked at a Domino’s Pizza during high school. After one year of college he went back to the same restaurant as a manager.

“I just started asking questions and found out how I could get my own restaurant,” Thornburg said.

Out of more than 7,000 stores around the world, Thornburg found a couple Domino’s for sale in Washington and moved here because he liked the area.

“I just like working with pizza,” Thornburg said. “It’s stressful, but fun. It’s a fun job, that’s why I like it. I get to make pizza all day …”

Thornburg studied business at the University of Nevada, Reno, during his one and only year of college. Now he’s getting a real-life lesson in business, trying to make his North Bend Domino’s as successful as possible.

Thornburg said business is good and if everything goes as planned, he may open another Domino’s in the future.

The only strange part is having some employees who are older than you, he said.

“They look at me funny at first, but once they get to know me they enjoy working for me. I try to be the boss I always wanted, almost a friend and not too strict or on a power trip,” Thornburg said. “I’d rather have the employees enjoy working here.”

And Thornburg isn’t even the youngest Domino’s owner in his family – his brother Brad owns one in Bellevue. Brad Thornburg is only 21.

But the Thornburgs don’t subsist on pizza alone, despite it always being around.

“I try not to, I’m on a diet now,” J.P. Thornburg said. “After working at Domino’s for years, I can only eat so much.”

Staff Writer Melissa Kruse can be reached at (425) 888-2311 or by e-mail at melissa.kruse@valleyrecord.com.