Former Bain & Company Partner Richard Allison new CEO of Domino's
As incumbent President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Patrick Doyle, prepares to stand down in the Summer of 2018, Domino’s Pizza has named Richard Allison as his replacement. The former Bain & Company Partner will step up from his current role, overseeing the company’s restaurants outside the US.
President and chief executive officer of Domino's Pizza, J. Patrick Doyle announced his intention to depart from the company on June 30th, having helmed the fast-food giant for more than eight years. In that time, Domino’s has become the world leader in pizza, leaving his decision to depart following a successful spell shrouded in mystery. Furthermore, the Michigan-based company did not give a reason for his planned exit, in their statement announcing the news.
Commenting on his exit, Doyle himself said, "One of the great honours and opportunities of my professional life was being named CEO of this incredible brand in early 2010. At that time, I set three goals for myself: I wanted us to become the #1 pizza company in the world; I wanted Domino's to provide our franchisees with the best possible return on their investment by creating a dramatically better experience for our customers; and I wanted to have a Leadership Team in place that would be ready to create even better results into the future. I'm proud to say that we've accomplished all of those goals, and I will leave Domino's knowing that it is in great hands."
Following the surprise development, the Domino's board of directors announced the promotion of Richard Allison, the current President of Domino's International, to the role of Chief Executive Officer. A Master of Business Administration, having completed both a degree and post-graduate degree at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Allison joined Domino's in March 2011 as executive vice president of International, joining the brand from Bain & Company. He spent 11 years with the global business consulting firm, becoming a Partner and co-leader of Bain's restaurant practice during that time.
As President of Domino's International, Allison currently oversees more than 9,000 stores and all franchise relationships outside the United States. Under his leadership, the franchise’s international division has grown by more than 4,500 stores in more than 85 markets in six years. Domino's International has also achieved a remarkable 95 consecutive quarters of same store sales growth, accounting for more than 50% of the company's global retail sales.
Commenting on the promotion, Domino’s Chairman of the Board, David Brandon, said, "The Board is confident Ritch is well-prepared to lead the company to the next level. And he could not have a more talented and capable leader than Russell Weiner to assume the critical new role of Chief Operating Officer of Domino's and President of the Americas."
Allison’s succession of Doyle will become effective on July 1st; alongside the promotion of Russell Weiner, President of Domino's USA, who takes on to the newly-created role of Chief Operating Officer of Domino's and President of the Americas. Weiner is credited with the reinvention of the Domino's US menu, a move which led to record-setting sales increases and the broader turnaround of the Domino's brand.