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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached peak pizza while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been removed after tensions with its directors.

Leadership Transition

The former CEO is exiting after only 24 months in the top role, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's looks for a permanent CEO.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for more than two decades, had sought to shift Britain's leading pizza delivery company towards chicken offerings, remarking recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding food category in the globe.

Governance Tensions

It is understood that there was disagreement between Rennie and the directors over his strategy and business vision, although the company's announcement said he was departing “through mutual consent”.

Recent Brand Launch

In the autumn, the chain unveiled its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief called a “bold new chapter” for the group – and is piloting it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still planning to expand it across its almost 1,400 stores next year as scheduled, it views chicken products as a supplement for its core pizza business.

Leadership Statement

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, stated: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to drive further growth and value creation in the main pizza segment. We are concentrating on identifying the right chief executive to oversee the disciplined execution of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it alerted that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut disclosed the closing of multiple locations a month ago, after the firm behind its UK venues fell into administration.

Wellness Initiatives

Adapting to consumer trends towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced reduced-calorie options, such as its light base line of bakes below 400 calories as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company William Hill. It is thought that she prefers not to assume the CEO position permanently.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a number of current growth and operational projects that we will be focused on carrying out at pace.”

Frampton noted these involved ongoing development on the organization's logistics network and menu innovation, and its loyalty scheme.

The pizza chain is also without a permanent finance director until the spring, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the beverage producer a well-known firm. For now, Snow is acting financial officer.