CEO Dominos Pizza

From pizza delivery driver to pizza store entrepreneur, to Group CEO and Managing Director of Australia’s largest and first publicly-listed pizza chain, Don Meij has proven passion, dedication and a keen business sense mean everything when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder.

After starting as a pizza delivery driver in 1987 in Redcliffe, Queensland, for Silvio’s Dial-a-Pizza (“Silvio’s”) while studying to be a high school teacher, Don fell in love with the business and has since slowly worked his way up the ranks.

Future positions included; Store Manager (1989) followed by Area Manager, State Operations Manager and Director of National Operations (1991–1993). In 1993, Silvio’s purchased Domino’s in Australia and Don became General Manager. The Domino’s and Silvio’s brands were operated separately.

By 1996 Don took the plunge and bought his first franchisee in Morayfield, Caboolture – which went on to become the second-busiest store on the planet in its first year. Don went on to build a network of 17 stores, before vending his stores into Domino's in 2001 to become Chief Operating Officer (2001) then Group Chief
Executive Officer (2002). In May 2005, Don led Domino’s to become Australia’s first publicly-listed pizza chain on the ASX and in 2012 celebrated 25 years with the Company.

In 2013, Don led the Company through its biggest acquisition with the announcement of a 75% equity interest in Domino’s Pizza Japan (DPJ). DPJ is the third largest pizza delivery chain in Japan with 259 stores, comprising 216 corporate stores and 43 franchise stores. It also provides Domino’s Pizza Enterprises an exciting opportunity to leverage the proven track record of successfully growing the Domino’s network to deliver shareholder value.

Don has won a number of industry awards including; The Ernst & Young Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2004, Australian Institute of Management (AIM) Professional Manager of the Year 2004 (QLD) and the 2002 QLD Retail Franchise.

Don’s international Domino's awards include Pizza International Manager of the Year 1996 and Chairman's Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Domino’s worldwide network 2004.

Today, Domino’s is the market leader in Australia and New Zealand, with strong business in the France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan markets. With over 1200 stores to the Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Don has never been so determined to continue the growth and success of the brand that has already come so far.

Presentation Topics

• Being a successful CEO
• Franchising
• Aquisitions

Testimonials

Excellent.... Extremely interesting presentation. Well received and relevant.
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