Domino's Promotes One of Its Own to CFO

Domino's Pizza Inc. announced that it named Michael Lawton as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Lawton, 51, is an 11-year veteran of Domino's Pizza, and has a proven track record as the head of its highly successful international business. Lawton succeeds Wendy A. Beck, who has accepted a position as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Lines in Miami. Beck will remain at Domino's through a transition period, working with Lawton.

"We wish Wendy the very best in her new position, as she embarks on new challenges, and thank her for her many contributions to Domino's,” says J. Patrick Doyle, Domino's president and CEO. “We are most fortunate to have Mike Lawton fully prepared to succeed in the important position of CFO. Mike has done an outstanding job of growing our international business, and getting it to a point of both critical mass and ongoing success. Mike is not only a proven general manager, but highly qualified as a financial expert for a public company—a powerful combination for a great CFO and business partner."

Lawton joined Domino's in 1999 as head of finance for the company's international division. He was named executive vice president of international in October 2004. Under his leadership, the division has driven a retail sales compounded annual growth rate of 12 percent, and has added more than 1,100 stores in both existing and new markets around the world. For 13 years prior to Domino's, Lawton was with Gerber Products Company, serving as Gerber's corporate controller, vice president of international finance, senior vice president and chief operator officer of its U.S. operations, and president of its Alima division in Poland. Lawton began his career as a certified public accountant for Ernst & Young. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. He resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife, Janet, and their two sons.

"I am very excited to take on the role as the chief financial officer of Domino's Pizza, and I feel great about the strength of the international business and its well-seasoned team,” Lawton says. “I look forward to continuing to work with them in my new capacity."

The company plans to conduct a thorough search for the position of executive vice president of international. Management stated that it expects there to be great interest by a number of highly qualified candidates, given Domino's attractive international track record, strong global brand recognition, and growth potential.