News

Domino's Pizza Australia confirms IPO probe

March 16, 2005

BRISBANE, Australia — Domino's Pizza Australia has confirmed it is investigating the possibility of an initial public offering of its 317-unit Australian and New Zealand operations as soon as the first half of 2005.

According to a news release, the fully Australian-owned DPA holds the master franchise for the Domino's brand in Australia and New Zealand. The chain employs more than 9,700 in those two countries and sells more than 35 million pizzas annually.

DPA has been in the acquisition mode for the past year, scooping up 16 Big Daddy's (Australia) pizza units in July and 35 Pizza Haven units (New Zealand) in January. Though some expected DPA might acquire struggling Pizza Haven's 135 Australian units, that hasn't occurred (read also Domino's Pizza Australia buys NZ Pizza Haven, Aussie acquisition possible and Battle for Melbourne begins as Domino's Pizza Aus. swallows 16 Big Daddy's).

"We have grown considerably over the past few years and expect this growth profile to continue over the medium term," Domino's Pizza Australia CEO Don Meij said in the release. "An IPO and listing on the Australian Stock Exchange is just one of the options we are examining to support our growth plans. In the meantime, we are focused on expanding store numbers."