🔗 Share this article

The boss of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while broadening the chain into fried chicken has been removed after tensions with its board.

Executive Transition

Rennie is departing after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who worked for the company for over 20 years, had sought to redirect the UK's leading pizza takeaway chain 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 protein in the world.

Governance Friction

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the governance team over his focus and direction, although Domino's release said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

New Product Launch

In September, Domino's unveiled its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which the former chief referred to as a “significant new phase” for the company – and is piloting it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its extensive network in 2026 as scheduled, it considers fried chicken as an addition to its core pizza business.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the Domino's chair, said: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to boost expansion and profitability in the main pizza segment. We are concentrating on finding the right chief executive to oversee the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Industry Challenges

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said transactions fell by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the period before the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain revealed the closure of dozens of outlets a month ago, after the business behind its UK venues fell into administration.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to customer preferences towards healthier eating, the company has introduced light options, such as its light base selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as meat-free and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a personal has 909 calories.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and previously worked for the gambling company a well-known operator. It is understood that she does not want to take on the chief executive role long-term.

Frampton stated: “We have a multiple ongoing expansion and operational projects that we will be concentrating on executing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these included additional efforts on the organization's supply chain and menu innovation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also lacking a long-term chief financial officer until March 16, when Andrea joins from the drinks company C&C Group. For now, Snow serves as interim finance chief.