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A chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have hit pizza saturation while expanding the company into poultry items has been replaced after conflicts with its governing body.

Executive Transition

Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be succeeded on an acting basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at the company for over 20 years, had attempted to redirect Britain's leading pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, commenting in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted poultry was the quickest rising menu item in the international market.

Governance Friction

It is understood that there was disagreement between the CEO and the board over his approach and direction, although the company's official statement said he was stepping down “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain unveiled its poultry offering – which the former chief described as a “significant new phase” for the group – and is testing it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the business is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in the coming year as planned, it considers chicken products as a supplement for its primary pizza operations.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chair, stated: “We are confident that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on identifying the suitable leader to oversee the systematic rollout of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in half-year profits.

Competitors are also struggling. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of dozens of outlets a month ago, after the business behind its UK venues fell into administration.

Wellness Initiatives

Trying to keep up with market shifts towards balanced diets, Domino's has launched light options, such as its Thin & Crispy range of pizzas below 400 calories as well as vegan and allergy-friendly pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a small has 909 calories.

Interim Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she does not want to occupy the top job long-term.

She said: “The company has a number of active expansion and operational projects that we will be focused on carrying out at pace.”

Frampton noted these included ongoing development on the organization's logistics network and new item creation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a full-time CFO until March 16, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. Until then, Richard Snow is interim finance chief.