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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the UK might have reached peak pizza while broadening the company into chicken products has been ousted after tensions with its directors.

Leadership Transition

Andrew Rennie is departing after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a permanent CEO.

The outgoing executive, who served at Domino's for a substantial period, had attempted to redirect Britain's leading pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, stating in a recent interview there was not “huge potential” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He said chicken was the fastest-growing food category in the international market.

Board Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his focus and management style, although Domino's announcement said he was departing “through mutual consent”.

New Brand Introduction

In the autumn, the chain launched its poultry brand – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is piloting it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its extensive network in 2026 as scheduled, it regards fried chicken as complementary to its core pizza business.

Board Comment

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to boost expansion and performance improvement in the main pizza segment. We are concentrating on finding the suitable leader to lead the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Industry Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said transactions dipped by one and a half percent in the Q3. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “become tougher” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the budget and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15 percent decline in half-year profits.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the closure of dozens of outlets a month ago, after the firm behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Efforts

Trying to keep up with customer preferences towards healthier eating, the company has launched lower-calorie products, such as its light base range of bakes below 400 kcal as well as plant-based and wheat-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has over 2,300 kcal. A big margherita has 2,171, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and previously worked for the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she is not seeking to take on the CEO position on a full-time basis.

She commented: “Our team has a number of active expansion and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to executing at a rapid rate.”

She said these involved further work on the organization's supply chain and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent CFO until the spring, when Andy Andrea joins from the beverage producer C&C Group. Until then, Snow serves as acting financial officer.