🔗 Share this article

The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while broadening the company into chicken products has been removed after disagreements with its board.

Leadership Transition

The former CEO is departing after just two years in charge, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who was with the company for over 20 years, had attempted to pivot the UK's largest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, stating in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He said poultry was the fastest-growing food category in the world.

Governance Tensions

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

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain introduced its chicken-focused product line – which Rennie called a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is trialling it in select stores in the north-west of England and the province.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as scheduled, it regards chicken products as complementary to its core pizza business.

Board Comment

Ian Bull, the Domino's chair, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on selecting the suitable leader to direct the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said sales dipped by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the quick-service industry had “grown more challenging” as it blamed reduced spending in the run-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut revealed the shutting of dozens of outlets a last month, after the company behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Health Efforts

Responding to customer preferences towards balanced diets, the company has introduced reduced-calorie products, such as its Thin & Crispy line of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171, while a personal has 909 calories.

Acting Leadership

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and previously worked for the gaming group a well-known operator. It is thought that she is not seeking to assume the chief executive role on a full-time basis.

She said: “We have a several current growth and operational projects that we will be dedicated to executing at a rapid rate.”

She added these comprised further work on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative.

The pizza chain is also without a full-time finance director until 16 March, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. Until then, Snow acts as interim finance chief.