🔗 Share this article

A head of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached peak pizza while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after tensions with its governing body.

Executive Change

The former CEO is exiting after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who served at Domino's for a substantial period, had sought to shift the UK's leading pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, remarking earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the international market.

Governance Friction

Sources suggest that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his focus and direction, although Domino's release said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

New Product Introduction

In September, Domino's unveiled its chicken-focused offering – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is trialling it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as planned, it considers fried chicken as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Board Statement

The Domino's chair, the company chairman, commented: “The board believes that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and performance improvement in the main pizza segment. We are concentrating on selecting the right chief executive to direct the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Market Challenges

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said orders declined by 1.5% in the latest quarter. In August, it alerted that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of dozens of outlets a month ago, after the company behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has introduced light items, such as its thin-crust selection of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as vegan and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A big margherita has 2,171, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

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 prefers not to assume the top job on a full-time basis.

She said: “We have a several current development and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to implementing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these comprised ongoing development on the company's supply chain and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a full-time finance director until March 16, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. Until then, Richard Snow is temporary CFO.