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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the UK might have reached pizza saturation while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after conflicts with its board.

Leadership Change

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in charge, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for Domino's for more than two decades, had sought to shift the UK's biggest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, remarking earlier this month there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted chicken was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the world.

Board Friction

It is understood that there was friction between the CEO and the board over his approach and direction, although Domino's official statement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's launched its poultry offering – which Rennie referred to as a “significant new phase” for the group – and is trialling it in select stores in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches next year as intended, it views fried chicken as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chair, stated: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are concentrating on finding the suitable leader to oversee the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Industry Challenges

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said transactions fell by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In the summer, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “grown more challenging” as it attributed reduced spending in the run-up to the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut disclosed the closing of 68 restaurants a recently, after the firm behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to market shifts towards healthier eating, Domino's has launched lower-calorie products, such as its thin-crust line of bakes below 400 kcals as well as meat-free and gluten-free options. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has 2,171, while a small has 909 kcal.

Acting Leadership

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and previously worked for the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she prefers not to assume the CEO position on a full-time basis.

She said: “We have a multiple ongoing growth and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to implementing at pace.”

Frampton noted these included further work on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its loyalty scheme.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent finance director until March 16, when a new appointee starts from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Richard Snow serves as temporary CFO.