Domino’s slices European leadership in senior exec shake-up

Domino’s Pizza chief executive Mark van Dyck will spearhead the company’s turnaround efforts in the struggling European market.

Under a raft of senior executive changes revealed on Thursday, Domino’s said all regional bosses in Europe would now report directly to Mr van Dyck “for the foreseeable future”.

Current Europe CEO Andre ten Wolde — who joined the company in 2005 — will shift into the role of group chief marketing officer.

Along with an underperforming Japanese market, Domino’s has been battling to revive declining sales in Europe, where earnings fell 11.1 per cent in the first half of the financial year to $32.3 million.

Under other executive changes, group chief portfolio management officer Julianne Dickson will take on the new position of group chief transformation officer.

The global leadership shake-up comes as Domino’s prepares to roll out its Recipe for Growth strategy to investors later this year.

“Our team recognise the importance of the work we must deliver, and the outcomes required to improve returns for our franchise partners and our investors,” said Mr van Dyck, who took over from long-time chief executive Don Meij in November.

“We are aligned on returning our business to sustained, long-term growth.”

Mr van Dyck said the company’s growth agenda would include a focus on improved return on investment from marketing, including new product development and advertising spending, as well as delivering higher digital conversion.

“Given the importance of delivering top-line growth in improving unit economics and business health, it’s critical Domino’s has experienced leadership that can bring together insights and best practice to benefit all markets,” he said.

Ms Dickson, who only joined Domino’s last year, will be charged with delivering the Recipe for Growth plan alongside Mr van Dyck.

In February, Domino’s reported a loss of $22.2m for the six months to the end of December — down from a $57.8m profit a year earlier.

It also revealed it would cop a $115.6m hit in one-off costs associated with the closure of 205 loss-making stores, with 172 of those in the struggling Japanese market.

At the time, Mr van Dyck conceded the company grew too quickly, with many of the stores to close opened during the pandemic, fuelling a surge in sales.

Domino’s has 3700 stores across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.