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The head of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the UK might have hit maximum pizza demand while expanding the company into poultry items has been ousted after disagreements with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

Rennie is exiting after only 24 months in leadership, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's looks for a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who was with the company for more than two decades, had sought to pivot Britain's leading pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, remarking earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted chicken was the most rapidly expanding food category in the international market.

Board Friction

Sources suggest that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his approach and management style, although the company's announcement said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

New Product Launch

In September, the chain unveiled its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which the former chief referred to as a “major strategic shift” for the organization – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still planning to expand it across its extensive network in the coming year as scheduled, it considers chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

Bull, the Domino's chair, stated: “We are confident that there are a range of possibilities to drive further growth and performance improvement in the main pizza segment. We are focused on identifying the suitable leader to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said transactions declined by 1.5% in the latest quarter. In the summer, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15 percent decline in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a month ago, after the business behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced reduced-calorie items, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as plant-based and gluten-free options. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the betting firm a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to assume the CEO position permanently.

She said: “Our team has a number of active expansion and performance initiatives that we will be focused on executing at pace.”

She added these comprised further work on the organization's logistics network and product development, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent finance director until 16 March, when Andy Andrea joins from the beverage producer C&C Group. For now, Snow is acting financial officer.