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The head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while diversifying the franchise into poultry items has been removed after disagreements with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

The former CEO is leaving after only 24 months in the top role, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for the company for a substantial period, had aimed to redirect the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, commenting recently there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He said poultry was the most rapidly expanding protein in the international market.

Board Tensions

Sources suggest that there was friction between the CEO and the governance team over his approach and business vision, although Domino's announcement said he was stepping down “as a joint decision”.

New Product Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's launched its poultry product line – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is piloting it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its extensive network next year as scheduled, it views chicken products as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the Domino's chair, stated: “The board believes that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are prioritizing selecting the right chief executive to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said sales dipped by one and a half percent in the Q3. In August, it warned 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 15 percent decline in half-year profits.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain announced the closure of 68 restaurants a month ago, after the company behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Trying to keep up with customer preferences towards healthier eating, the company has launched light items, such as its Thin & Crispy line of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as vegan and allergy-friendly pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a personal has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Management

Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gaming group William Hill. It is believed that she does not want to take on the chief executive role on a full-time basis.

Frampton stated: “The company has a number of ongoing development and efficiency programs that we will be focused on carrying out at pace.”

She added these comprised further work on the organization's supply chain and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also without a long-term chief financial officer until 16 March, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.