Twin-region focus, executive appointments, prime Domino’s for future growth

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX:DMP) today announced the Company would align its leadership with a twin-region structure focused on opportunities in Europe and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) and has appointed experienced senior executives to lead the next phase of significant growth.

Group CEO & Managing Director Don Meij said the changes would provide Domino’s with a platform on which the company would build a business more than double its current size over the next decade.

“DPE’s Europe and APAC regions each have a population base of about 180 million people with significant opportunity for both organic growth and acquisitions. With this twin-region focus, we intend to maximise these opportunities”.

“As we accelerate to 2030 and beyond, we will grow much larger businesses in both regions; each planned to be bigger than the entire DPE of today,” Mr Meij said.

“What has supported our growth to this point has been the ability of each region to understand their local markets, while also ensuring we maximise the benefits from our size, scale, and collaboration with our international colleagues. This will remain unchanged.

“A twin region approach will see a continued focus on global strategies and systems such as our OneDigital platform, which has already grown online ordering to a record 78.2%.

“At the same time, we will strengthen our localised approach to marketing and store roll-out, applying region-level expertise to areas such as marketing and store development.

“We’ve previously taken this approach on a local level (for example using marketing resources from Australia to support New Zealand) and proven the benefits – we now intend to scale up this strategy to a regional level.

Current Japan CEO & President Josh Kilimnik has been appointed as APAC CEO and will work with Europe CEO Andre ten Wolde to identify functions to be reinforced by a regional executive within their regions.[1]

Current Japan Chief Marketing Officer Todd Reilly has been appointed APAC Chief Marketing Officer, with Europe Chief Commercial Officer Nicky Claeys performing an expanded role in Europe.

ANZ CEO Nick Knight has decided at this time to retire from the Domino’s business, with 30-year Domino’s veteran, multi-award winner and current franchisee, David Burness, to take up the role.

Mr Meij paid tribute to Mr Knight’s two decades of service to Domino’s, which started as a teenager in regional New South Wales.

“Nick grew to become a store manager, one of the best multi-unit franchisees in Domino’s globally, and then a DPE executive, where he has spearheaded a strategic improvement in our franchisee base.

“It is never easy to farewell a true Dominoid like Nick – but the measure of success of a leader is the team they inspire, and Nick has built a formidable team.”

Mr Knight said: “I’ve always considered myself a custodian of this brand, one whose job is to ultimately hand over this business in a stronger position to the next custodian.

“After two decades, I’m confident I’m doing that: with the strategy, the tools, and the team that will deliver on the next decade and beyond.”

David Burness started as a delivery driver for then Silvio’s Dial-A-Pizza in 1991 while studying at university, before progressing to a franchise consultant when the Domino’s brand was acquired. He has twice built multi-unit franchises, separated by service as Chief Operating Officer for Domino’s Netherlands.

With wife Melissa, David owns seven stores on the Sunshine Coast. The family’s four children all work in Domino’s stores.

“David is known to all for his passion for the Domino’s brand, his commitment to living the purpose and values of our business, to High Volume Mentality, and to growth. He will be ably supported by our Chief Operating Officer Brett Moore, himself a former multi-unit franchisee.

Mr Burness said: “I am passionate about continuing to grow the sales, profitability and store footprints of our franchisees. I have seen and demonstrated the value of fortressing our territories, and Project Ignite will be the first important step I implement in building out our 1200 store target.

“For more than 25 years I have opened stores here and in opportunity markets, served as a franchisee and an international operations manager, delivered high quality meals and served local community groups.

“But more importantly, I’m proudest that I’ve mentored and supported at least 10 store managers who have ultimately become successful franchisees themselves – providing opportunities to young people who are looking for a part-time job, or even a career, motivates me every day.”

Martin Steenks, Franchise Operations Director of Domino’s Netherlands, has been appointed as CEO of Domino’s Taiwan.

Martin has worked for Domino’s for 24 years, starting as a delivery driver. He built an award-winning, eight-store franchisee business over a decade, before leading the corporate operations team from 2019. Most recently he helped lead the Netherlands market to set a new world record for a week of deliveries, an average of 17 minutes and 19 seconds across all stores.

“I loved my career as a Domino’s franchisee and was excited to have the opportunity to apply my lessons in helping other franchisees grow and prosper,” Mr Steenks said.

“I can’t wait to work alongside our newest colleagues in Taiwan to help expand their store footprint, to introduce our High Volume Mentality, and to become the number one pizza chain in the market.”

Mr Steenks will commence his new role immediately. Mr Burness will transition into the role over the next two weeks to ensure a sufficient handover takes place. Mr Knight will continue to consult with the Domino’s business on an ongoing basis.

“This is a franchisee-led business that thrives due to our world-class people,” Mr Meij said, “I’m proud that our latest CEO appointments come from our stores and the ranks of our franchisees. These executives are pizza people at heart, renowned for their passion for our people, our customers, and our brand.

“I have no doubt we have the right customer offering, the right people and now, the right structure, to deliver continued success.”

[1] Mr Kilimnik will continue to have leadership responsibility for Domino’s Japan in his new role. The Taiwan CEO and ANZ CEO will report into Mr Kilimnik in his APAC CEO role.

Introducing David Burness

Introducing Martin Steenks