Don Meij net worth emerges from corporate executive leadership and entrepreneurship. He is an Australian entrepreneur and executive professional. He served as the CEO of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises from 2002 to 2024.
Don Meij net worth
The estimated Don Meij net worth is undisclosed. However, he topped the list of Australia’s highest-paid chief executives, taking home $36.84 million in 2018. In addition, he also holds 1,667,969 shares in Domino’s worth around $52,874,617.30, according to the company’s 2024 annual report.
His significant income source is his 22 years as CEO of Domino’s Pizza Enterprise followed by current ventures as franchises ownership, entrepreneurship and advisory roles.
Occupation overview
Domino’s
Don Meij is best known for transforming Domino’s Pizza Enterprises into one of the world’s largest and most successful quick-service restaurant franchise businesses.
He began his career in 1987 as a pizza delivery driver while studying education at Queensland University of Technology but chose to leave university to pursue a full-time career in the restaurant industry.
Over the next several years, he progressed through management and operational roles, eventually becoming National Operations Director, where he played a key role in integrating Silvio’s Dial-a-Pizza and Domino’s Australia into a unified national brand.
After becoming a successful franchise owner, Don Meij built and operated 17 high-performing Domino’s stores, representing roughly 10% of the company’s store network and approximately 30% of group sales at the time.
He later sold the business in exchange for a 12.5% equity stake in Domino’s Pizza Enterprises before its public listing, positioning himself to help lead the company’s next phase of growth.
CEO role
Following appointments as Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive Officer in 2002, he spent more than two decades overseeing one of the most significant expansion stories in the global restaurant industry.
As CEO from 2002 to 2024, he transformed Domino’s Pizza Enterprises from a Brisbane-based company with around 200 stores into an international powerhouse operating more than 3,800 stores across 12 markets throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
Under his leadership, the company completed its Australian Securities Exchange listing in 2005, became the largest Domino’s franchise outside the United States, and established market-leading positions across its long-established international markets.
During his tenure, system-wide sales grew from under AU$100 million to more than AU$4 billion, while EBITDA increased from less than AU$1 million to over AU$425 million.
He also championed technological innovation by introducing online ordering, GPS driver tracking, artificial intelligence-driven operations, data-powered franchise management systems, and sustainability initiatives such as Domino’s for Good.
Post-Domino’s
Following his retirement as CEO, Don Meij remains active in the restaurant and franchising sector. He serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at Stripes, where he advises founders and leadership teams in the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant industries on scaling operations, franchise development, leadership, and technology adoption.
He is also a PopUp Bagels franchisee with development rights across Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, while serving as an investor and advisor to La La Land Kind Cafe.
His legacy is defined by nearly four decades of operational excellence, franchise innovation, digital transformation, and global expansion, turning Domino’s Pizza Enterprises into one of the most successful restaurant franchise businesses outside the United States.
Honours
- Domino’s Lifetime Visionary Award (2024)
- Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Inductee (2018)
- CEO of the Year – CEO Magazine (2017)
- Coolest People in Australian Tech – Business Insider (2016)
- Forbes’ Most Innovative Growth Companies – Forbes (2016)
- Businessperson of the Year – Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Channel 7 Business Awards (2015)
- Digital Champion Award – Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards (2013)
- Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Ernst & Young (2004)
- Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Leadership – Domino’s Pizza International (2004)
- International Manager of the Year – Domino’s Pizza International (1996)
- Icon Award – Dominos Pizza Enterprises Ltd
Conclusion on Don Meij net worth
In conclusion, Don Meij’s wealth has been built primarily through his long career with Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, particularly his equity ownership acquired before the company’s public listing, executive compensation during more than 22 years as CEO, long-term shareholdings and his successful franchise operations.
His current sources of net worth also include investments in restaurant ventures, ownership of PopUp Bagels franchises, advisory and investor roles with emerging hospitality businesses such as La La Land Kind Cafe, and strategic leadership positions including his role as Entrepreneur in Residence role at Stripes.
Featured image: Don Meij on stripes.co
