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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit maximum pizza demand while expanding the company into poultry items has been removed after conflicts with its governing body.

Leadership Shake-Up

Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a new leader.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for a substantial period, had aimed to shift Britain's largest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, commenting earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the most rapidly expanding protein in the globe.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the governance team over his approach and business vision, although Domino's release said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Introduction

In the autumn, the chain unveiled its poultry product line – which Rennie referred to as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its extensive network next year as intended, it regards chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Comment

The Domino's chair, the company chairman, stated: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to boost expansion and profitability in our primary operations. We are focused on finding the ideal CEO to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Earlier this month, Domino's, which has 13 million customers in the British Isles, said transactions fell by 1.5% in the Q3. In the summer, it cautioned that the food delivery sector had “grown more challenging” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a significant fall in half-year profits.

Competitors are also struggling. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out light items, such as its Thin & Crispy range of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a small has 909 kcal.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the betting firm a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to occupy the chief executive role long-term.

She said: “Our team has a several current expansion and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to executing at pace.”

Frampton noted these comprised ongoing development on the organization's logistics network and new item creation, and its loyalty scheme.

The pizza chain is also in need of a long-term CFO until 16 March, when a new appointee joins from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. In the meantime, Richard Snow acts as interim finance chief.