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A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have hit peak pizza while broadening the company into chicken products has been ousted after disagreements with its directors.

Executive Shake-Up

The former CEO is exiting after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who was with Domino's for a substantial period, had attempted to pivot the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards chicken offerings, stating in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the quickest rising menu item in the world.

Board Disagreements

Sources suggest that there was tension 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 Introduction

In the autumn, the chain introduced its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief referred to as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as scheduled, it considers fried chicken as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are prioritizing identifying the suitable leader to lead the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Market Challenges

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said transactions declined by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Rival chains are also struggling. Another major chain announced the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its UK venues entered insolvency.

Wellness Efforts

Responding to consumer trends towards healthier eating, Domino's has introduced reduced-calorie items, such as its thin-crust range of pizzas below 400 calories as well as vegan and wheat-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A big margherita has over 2,100, while a personal has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and previously worked for the betting firm a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to take on the top job long-term.

She said: “The company has a multiple ongoing growth and performance initiatives that we will be focused on executing at pace.”

She added these included further work on the organization's logistics network and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent finance director until March 16, when Andy Andrea joins from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. For now, Snow serves as acting financial officer.