Domino’s Pizza boss Don Meij seeks a new slice of life

What’s next for Brisbane pizza king Don Meij who announced this week he was leaving the Domino’s fast-food empire he built into a $4bn colossus over more than 30 years?

Outgoing Domino's CEO Don Meij at Hamilton on Tuesday after 22 years at the helm and 40 years at the company. Picture Lachie Millard

What’s next for Brisbane pizza king Don Meij? Meij announced this week he was leaving the Domino’s fast-food empire he built into a $4bn colossus over more than 30 years to pursue other business interests. City Beat spies tell us Meij could be looking at something in the food-service industry in the United States. At 55, Meij is certainly young enough to go onto bigger and better things and told your diarist this week he still has one more “big thing” to do. But so far has declined to give further details.

Meij, the former pizza delivery boy who announced his retirement from Domino’s after 22 years as chief executive, says he is “going to take some time, sit down and write down what I think is the perfect company”. “I am still young enough to go onto other things,” he says.

One thing won’t change for Meij and that’s his Brisbane base. Meij was last year revealed as the mystery buyer of a $12.95m penthouse crowning Cavcorp’s new Luminare tower at Newstead. The sale of the penthouse was equivalent to $24,000 per square metre — setting a new ‘per square metre’ apartment sale price record for Brisbane. Watch this space.

Domino’s boss Don Meij seeking new business dreams.

Sentinel hire

Former Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) executive Daniel O’Driscoll has joined the leadership team of Sentinel Property Group as director of business development.

O’Driscoll worked at Sentinel in 2011 under the mentorship of chief executive Warren Ebert while completing his university studies. He returns more than a decade later after serving in a variety of roles at QIC, most recently as development director of QIC Real Estate.

“It’s exciting to welcome Daniel back to Sentinel where he spent two years as an undergraduate investment analyst while completing his university studies,” Ebert says.

Ebert say he has long been associated with O’Driscoll’s father Pat, who is the founder and principal of the Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate business in Rockhampton.

During his time at QIC, O’Driscoll has worked across multiple assets throughout the country, with his office exposure spanning from MLC Centre and 52 Martin Place in Sydney, through to 141 Queen Street and the Queensland Government Office Fund (QOF) in Brisbane with recent years homing in on the retail sector driving assets such as Eastland Shopping Centre, Watergardens Town Centre and the Canberra Centre.

Daniel O'Driscoll rejoining Sentinel Property Group.

Driver’s seat

We hear there has been strong investor interest in a $7.8m capital raising by Brisbane-based fleet management firm Fliit. City Beat has been told a book build by investment firm Parc was 150 per cent over target and closed off early. Fliit, headed by former Evolution Group boss Marshall Scott, provides fleet management support to national construction and infrastructure projects including the Inpex Gas Plant and Goyder South Wind Farm.

According to an investment document produced by Parc and seen by City Beat, Fliit revenue is expected grow from $9.3m to $50.6m over the next four years. Fliit’s vehicles under management are expected to expand from 469 to 1,719 by 2028.

Higher law

National law firm Holding Redlich has promoted Guy Munasinghe to partner from the firm’s property, planning and development team in Brisbane.

Munasinghe brings more than 14 years of experience in commercial, industrial, and retail leasing across multiple jurisdictions. Munasinghe advises clients on national property portfolios, and offers counsel on complex leasing issues for shopping centre owners, state and local governments, asset management firms, and investment funds.