After 22 years at the helm, CEO Don Meij is stepping aside to let new blood run Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.
Meij stamped himself as one of Australia’s most successful CEOs, building the pizza giant into a 3,700-store behemoth across 12 markets with sales of more than $4 billion.
Putting that in perspective, Domino’s listed in 2005 with just 387 stores and sales of $300 million.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Don and acknowledge his exceptional leadership and achievements, the company’s chairman Jack Cowin said.
“Under his leadership, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd grew from a Brisbane-based company to a truly global business – the market leader in each of the markets the company has operated for more than three years in Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
“Don has done an exceptional job of delivering positive outcomes for all our stakeholders, including franchise partners, shareholders and employees. He leaves an impressive legacy.”
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Chairman Jack Cowin, retiring CEO Don Meij and incumbent CEO Mark van Dyck.
Mixed trading results to start FY25
Domino’s reported a mixed trading update for the first 17 weeks of fiscal 2025, with a group same-store sales decline of 1.2% compared to a 2.7% increase in the corresponding period last year.
The various markets have produced mixed results.
Sales in Australia built positively on last year’s strong figures, while the Benelux region saw success with a new brand campaign. Singapore has delivered two years of consistent growth and Taiwan has returned to positive sales growth.
In contrast, sales in Germany remain negative, affected by the previous year’s record levels, though they have shown improvement since August’s trading update. Sales in France and Japan are also negative year-to-date, with ongoing efforts needed to drive positive results in these markets.
Meij will stick around for 12 months to facilitate the transition to Mark van Dyck who succeeds him, effective November 6, 2024.
“It has been an incredible honour to be part of this company for the past 37 years and especially the past 22 years as CEO," Meij said.
"Domino’s really has been my life. When I started as a delivery driver in Redcliffe, Queensland, I never imagined I’d become CEO of a truly global company with more than $4 billion in sales. I would like to thank the board and shareholders for their support over the past two decades.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with extraordinary teams, franchise partners and customers. Many of the incredible people I have worked with have gone from team members to franchise partners or executives around the world. I leave knowing that the business is well-positioned for an exciting new chapter.
“While this decision was not easy, it’s the right time for me to step back and for new leadership to guide the next era of growth.
“I’ll always be proud of what we achieved together and proud I have had the opportunity to serve: it has been a life-changing experience for me.”
Van Dyck's leadership legacy
Van Dyck served on the executive board of Compass Group, a global leader in food services with a market capitalisation of $79 billion and operations in 33 countries.
As regional managing director for the Asia-Pacific region, van Dyck managed a workforce of 66,000 employees across 11 countries, delivering more than 400 million meals annually.
During his tenure, he doubled the company's underlying growth in the region and substantially enhanced profitability. His initiatives included a comprehensive restructuring of the Japanese business to boost growth and profitability, as well as a strategic reset in Australia, making it one of Compass's most profitable global markets.
Before joining Compass, van Dyck held executive roles at The Coca-Cola Company over 14 years, including Asia group director customer leadership, where he led efforts to transform retailer relationships and improve business results across the region. He also served as managing director for Coca-Cola’s Australian and Irish markets.
Van Dyck is currently the chairman of the Food and Agriculture Taskforce and previously chaired the Australian Government-sponsored Asia Taskforce, which includes the Business Council of Australia and Asia Society.