Domino’s has appointed the sister of the CEO to run its flagship Aussie and New Zealand arm

Kerri Hayman is rated as one of the world’s most experienced Domino’s executives, learning the business alongside brother — now CEO — Don Meij.

Domino’s Pizza has turned to Kerri Hayman to run its Australian and New Zealand empire, handing the keys to an executive with almost 40 years pizza experience — and the sister of CEO Don Meij.

Ms Hayman, currently chief operating officer of Domino’s Australia and New Zealand, cut her teeth at the well-known pizza chain as a 15 year-old alongside her older brother, Mr Meij, where she helped him to make pizzas as a ‘favour’.

“Don needed staff and the plan was to only work for him for a few months to help him out, but I ended up quitting my other job at a bakery and staying on,” Ms Hayman once said reflecting on her early days in front of the pizza oven.

At the time Mr Meij was the store manager for Silvio’s Pizza in Redcliffe, Queensland, with both Mr Meij and Ms Hayman using the experience as a launching pad for taking on the Domino’s global empire, where they quickly rose up the ranks.

At just 21-years-old she became one of the youngest ever franchisee consultants for Silvio’s, and in a year was the first female member of the Domino’s ANZ Leadership Team.

Just ahead of her was Mr Meij, who now is the CEO of Domino’s Pizza, the listed ASX-company which owns the pizza brand in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

On Friday Domino’s announced the promotion of Ms Hayman to CEO, Australia and New Zealand, effective immediately.

Ms Hayman is one of the world’s most experienced Domino’s executives, the company said in an ASX statement, with more than 36 years in the Domino’s brand. Her experience includes operations director for UK-listed Domino’s Pizza Group and as an award-wining 14 store franchisee in the US.

Kerri Hayman, pictured when she was the former national operations manager for Dominos Pizza.

A very young Don Meij when he started at Domino's Pizza as a delivery boy — he is now CEO.

“Ms Hayman has been recognised as one of Domino’s International’s highest performing operations leaders, with awards including ‘International Supervisor of the Year’ and Domino’s ‘Woman of the Year’, as well as a slew of other accolades including overseeing the international record for the most pizzas sold in a day.”

The company said under Ms Hayman’s leadership as chief operating officer for Australia and New Zealand, Domino’s had delivered the highest customer satisfaction scores and product quality scores (as rated by customers) in more than three years, with improved sales and profitability for franchise partners and corporate stores.

“When I returned to Australia, I was coming home in more ways than one; I grew up in this business and worked alongside so many team members who are now some of our most successful and longest-serving franchise partners,” Ms Hayman said.

Domino’s chairman and major shareholder Jack Cowin, who founded the Hungry Jacks empire said: “We are confident we have the right leadership for the future, and with Kerri’s appointment, the best person for the job.”

Ms Hayman comes to the role at a difficult time for Domino’s, which has struggled from poor sales and a string of profit warnings which has seen the share price tumble 33 per cent in the past 12 months.