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The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while broadening the chain into chicken products has been replaced after conflicts with its board.

Leadership Transition

The former CEO is exiting after only 24 months in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who worked for the company for more than two decades, had attempted to pivot Britain's largest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, commenting in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the fastest-growing food category in the international market.

Board Friction

Sources suggest that there was tension between Rennie and the board over his strategy and management style, although Domino's release said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, Domino's launched its poultry brand – which the former chief referred to as a “bold new chapter” for the organization – and is trialling it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still planning to expand it across its almost 1,400 stores next year as scheduled, it considers fried chicken as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Comment

Bull, the company chair, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and profitability in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on finding the suitable leader to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said transactions dipped by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In August, it alerted that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it attributed reduced spending in the run-up to the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the closure of multiple locations a month ago, after the company behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Health Initiatives

Adapting to customer preferences towards balanced diets, Domino's has launched reduced-calorie products, such as its thin-crust selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as vegan and wheat-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Acting Management

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the betting firm William Hill. It is believed that she is not seeking to occupy the CEO position long-term.

She said: “Our team has a multiple active growth and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to implementing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these included further work on the company's procurement system and menu innovation, and its loyalty scheme.

Domino's is also lacking a full-time CFO until 16 March, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. Until then, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.