🔗 Share this article

The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have reached peak pizza while diversifying the chain into poultry items has been removed after conflicts with its governing body.

Leadership Change

Andrew Rennie is departing after only 24 months in charge, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at the company for more than two decades, had sought to pivot Britain's largest pizza takeaway chain towards chicken offerings, commenting earlier this month there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the quickest rising food category in the globe.

Board Friction

It is understood that there was friction between the CEO and the directors over his approach and business vision, although the company's release said he was departing “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Brand Launch

In the autumn, the chain launched its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which Rennie described as a “major strategic shift” for the organization – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as scheduled, it regards chicken products as an addition to its core pizza business.

Leadership Statement

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, said: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and profitability in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing identifying the ideal CEO to oversee the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Industry Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said orders declined by 1.5% in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the budget and rising wage costs for weaker-than-expected sales and a significant fall in half-year profits.

Rival chains are also struggling. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of multiple locations a recently, after the firm behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Trying to keep up with consumer trends towards better nutrition, the company has introduced lower-calorie items, such as its Thin & Crispy line of bakes below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has over 2,300 kcal. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Management

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and previously worked for the betting firm William Hill. It is thought that she does not want to take on the top job permanently.

She said: “Our team has a multiple ongoing expansion and operational projects that we will be dedicated to executing at pace.”

She added these involved further work on the company's supply chain and new item creation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also in need of a long-term finance director until the spring, when a new appointee joins from the beverage producer a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow is acting financial officer.