Domino’s Pizza enhances leadership for ANZ, sets eyes on global turnaround

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND – Domino’s Pizza Enterprises has appointed Merrill Pereyra as CEO for its Australia and New Zealand operations.

This QSR veteran brings over 30 years of expertise, most recently steering Pizza Hut India since 2019 under Yum! Brands.

There, he orchestrated revamps that boosted sales momentum and slashed store payback times by 50 percent.

His resume spans McDonald’s regional roles, CEO stints at Domino’s Pizza Indonesia, and executive director positions at QSR Brands, Yum!’s franchise arm for KFC and Pizza Hut.

In parallel, the company has elevated George Saoud to group chief operating officer effective immediately, expanding from his CFO role assumed July 1, 2025.

Beyond finance, strategy, and capital oversight, Saoud now helms technology, procurement, and supply chains.

Executives framed this hybrid mandate as a catalyst for sharper operations, tighter costs, and enduring expansion worldwide.

These shifts reinforce Domino’s commitment to robust leadership amid core recovery goals.

Executive chairman Jack Cowin welcomed Pereyra’s industry pedigree to the pivotal ANZ arena, citing his prowess in nurturing franchise ties, lifting same-store sales, and optimizing unit economics for renewed growth.

Cowin expressed board assurance that Pereyra will collaborate tightly with partners to elevate performance. He similarly praised Saoud’s seasoned hand in steering strategic pillars across international fronts.

Following Mark van Dyck’s exit, the board reported smooth progress toward naming a permanent group CEO. For QSR observers, these moves signal aggressive pivots in competitive markets where Domino’s ANZ sales dipped amid inflation and rival pressures like Pizza Hut and independent chains.

Pereyra’s India playbook, streamlining menus, tech upgrades, and loyalty drives, could mirror successes, potentially reclaiming 5-7% market share as tourism rebounds fuel delivery demand.

Globally, Saoud’s broadened scope tackles supply snarls post-2025 disruptions, integrating AI order routing akin to U.S. peers.

Domino’s network spans 20,000+ stores, with ANZ as a profit engine despite 2025 headwinds. Investors track these for earnings lifts, especially as hospitality investments pour into quick-service amid 2026 travel upticks.

Similar franchise models thrive in other parts of the world (especially Africa) via localized menus, hinting at expansion parallels. This duo positions Domino’s for resilience, blending operational grit with innovation to outpace sector peers.

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