DP Poland Names Łukasz Ostrowski as New CEO to Drive Domino's Franchise Growth in Poland and Croatia

Review of Nils Gornall's Leadership and Strategic Progress

After four years leading DP Poland, Nils Gornall will step down as CEO and director effective 3 August 2026. Under his leadership, the company nearly doubled its store footprint from 116 to over 200 locations across Poland and Croatia, reflecting rapid market expansion supported by effective franchisee recruitment and development.

Gornall also guided DP Poland's transition to a profitable, franchise-led business model, shifting away from higher-cost company-operated stores toward franchising arrangements that enhance revenue resilience and scalability. System sales reached record highs during his tenure, evidencing strong business momentum amid this operational transformation. Gornall will remain in his role until his departure date to ensure a smooth leadership handover.

Łukasz Ostrowski's Extensive Retail and Digital Commerce Expertise

Łukasz Ostrowski joins DP Poland with a wealth of experience from multinational retail and consumer sectors. Most recently, he was Deputy CEO at OTCF S.A., the Polish sportswear company behind the 4F brand, overseeing global business operations and spearheading e-commerce and digital platform growth. OTCF reports approximately 350 million in turnover.

Prior to OTCF, Ostrowski spent over seven years in senior roles at IKEA, including interim CEO and COO positions in the Netherlands and China. At IKEA China, he led the strategic shift to omnichannel retail, launching and scaling e-commerce operations that significantly exceeded online sales targets. His earlier career includes CEO of Groupon Poland and senior commercial roles at IKEA Poland, Vision Express, Danone, and Mars, highlighting his deep expertise in consumer-facing businesses and digital expansion across multiple markets.

Dominance of Digital Ordering and E-Commerce Leadership

DP Poland's business heavily relies on digital and online ordering channels, where Ostrowski's expertise is directly applicable. Online and app-based orders constitute the vast majority of sales across Domino's Pizza outlets, reflecting consumer preferences and the company's strong digital infrastructure.

Ostrowski's proven success in building and scaling e-commerce platforms at IKEA China and OTCF aligns with DP Poland's strategic focus. His skills in enhancing user experience, conversion rates, and digital marketing efficiency are critical competitive factors in the modern pizza delivery market. The Board highlights his digital commerce capabilities as essential for Domino's continued growth in Poland and Croatia.

Rapid Store Network Growth and Market Expansion Strategy

DP Poland's store base has expanded from 116 to over 200 locations, including 142 Domino's Pizza outlets and 70 Pizzeria 105 restaurants. This dual-brand portfolio leverages shared infrastructure and supply chains while targeting diverse consumer segments within Poland and Croatia.

Ostrowski describes these markets as "attractive and underpenetrated," indicating significant room for further network growth. His priorities include expanding the store footprint and enhancing franchisee profitability, aiming to sustain momentum and improve unit economics for franchise partners.

Franchise Model Evolution and Support for Franchisees

DP Poland's strategic shift to a franchise-led model improves capital efficiency and operational scalability by distributing store management to independent franchisees, while the company retains brand control and revenue from fees and royalties. This approach aligns franchisee incentives with system-wide success.

The Board states Ostrowski will focus on "strengthening our franchisees' economics," addressing key areas such as food costs, labor efficiency, delivery optimization, and marketing effectiveness. His experience managing multi-site consumer operations equips him to enhance franchisee profitability and network expansion potential.

Regulatory Approval and Appointment Conditions

Ostrowski's appointment is subject to standard regulatory due diligence by DP Poland's nominated adviser, Panmure Liberum Limited. Further disclosures will follow upon regulatory clearance, consistent with UK Listing Rules and Market Abuse Regulation requirements.

This phased announcement ensures market transparency during the leadership transition while maintaining compliance. Investors can anticipate a subsequent update confirming final regulatory approval, with current indications suggesting smooth clearance.

Executive Remuneration and Share Option Vesting for Nils Gornall

As part of the succession plan, DP Poland's Remuneration Committee has approved full vesting of Nils Gornall's outstanding unvested share options upon his departure, resulting in a total holding of 15,560,075 share options. This acceleration is standard in executive transitions to recognize tenure and facilitate smooth leadership change.

Gornall has committed to conducting any future share sales under agreed orderly market obligations, preventing immediate large-scale disposals and protecting shareholder value during the transition.

Stable Financial Performance and Maintained FY2026 Outlook

Despite the CEO transition, DP Poland's trading performance aligns with Board expectations, and the previously announced FY2026 outlook remains unchanged. This stability reassures investors that operational momentum and franchisee engagement continue uninterrupted.

The Board references the outlook published on 14 July 2026, one week before the CEO succession announcement, signaling confidence in ongoing business resilience and the incoming leadership.

Market Position in Poland and Croatia's Pizza Delivery Sector

DP Poland holds exclusive master franchise rights for Domino's Pizza in Poland and Croatia, operating a globally recognized brand with standardized systems, technology platforms, and marketing frameworks. These advantages position DP Poland favorably against smaller local competitors.

Both markets are characterized as underpenetrated, offering significant growth potential. The company's ownership of Pizzeria 105, with 70 locations in Poland, diversifies its portfolio and enhances operational insights. Ostrowski's focus on execution, network growth, and operational excellence aligns with the competitive demands of these developing pizza delivery markets.

Leadership Transition and Continuity Support

Nils Gornall will remain in his role until 3 August 2026 and continue supporting Łukasz Ostrowski through the transition period, ensuring knowledge transfer and minimizing disruption. This structured handover reflects professional management and commitment to strategic continuity.

Chairman David Wild expressed gratitude for Gornall's contributions and confidence in Ostrowski's skills to lead the next growth phase. Gornall echoed this sentiment, pledging full support for Ostrowski during the transition. This unified approach provides reassurance to franchisees, employees, and investors regarding stability and future direction.