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The head of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have hit peak pizza while broadening the franchise into fried chicken has been removed after conflicts with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

The former CEO is departing after just two years in the top role, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for the company for more than two decades, had attempted to redirect the UK's biggest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, commenting recently there was not “huge potential” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the most rapidly expanding protein in the world.

Governance Disagreements

Reports indicate that there was friction between the CEO and the board over his approach and business vision, although the company's official statement said he was stepping down “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Launch

In September, Domino's unveiled its poultry brand – which Rennie called a “bold new chapter” for the group – and is piloting it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as intended, it regards chicken products as a supplement for its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the company chair, stated: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to boost expansion and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are focused on identifying the ideal CEO to lead the systematic rollout of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said transactions fell by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the lead-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in half-year profits.

Other pizza operators are also facing challenges. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a recently, after the firm behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Wellness Efforts

Trying to keep up with consumer trends towards healthier eating, the company has introduced reduced-calorie products, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as meat-free and gluten-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has 2,171, while a individual has 909 kcal.

Acting Leadership

Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and previously worked for the betting firm William Hill. It is thought that she does not want to assume the top job permanently.

She said: “We have a number of ongoing growth and efficiency programs that we will be focused on carrying out at pace.”

Frampton noted these involved additional efforts on the organization's logistics network and menu innovation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also without a permanent CFO until 16 March, when Andrea comes aboard from the beverage producer C&C Group. For now, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.