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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached peak pizza while diversifying the franchise into poultry items has been removed after conflicts with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

The former CEO is exiting after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a permanent CEO.

The outgoing executive, who worked for the company for more than two decades, had sought to pivot the UK's largest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, stating in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the globe.

Board Friction

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his approach and management style, although Domino's announcement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain launched its poultry brand – which Rennie referred to as a “bold new chapter” for the company – and is trialling it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still intending to launch it across its extensive network in 2026 as intended, it regards fried chicken as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

Ian Bull, the company chair, commented: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and value creation in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing selecting the ideal CEO to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said transactions declined by one and a half 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 period before the government announcement and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the closure of dozens of outlets a recently, after the company behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out light products, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and wheat-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A big margherita has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the betting firm William Hill. It is understood that she is not seeking to assume the CEO position long-term.

She commented: “Our team has a multiple current expansion and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to carrying out at pace.”

She added these included further work on the company's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a permanent finance director until 16 March, when Andy Andrea joins from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow acts as interim finance chief.