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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while broadening the franchise into chicken products has been removed after tensions with its board.

Executive Transition

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's seeks a new leader.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for over 20 years, had attempted to redirect the UK's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards chicken offerings, commenting in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He observed chicken was the quickest rising food category in the international market.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the governance team over his approach and management style, although the company's announcement said he was departing “through mutual consent”.

New Product Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's launched its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which the former chief referred to as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is testing it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its extensive network in the coming year as planned, it views fried chicken as complementary to its core pizza business.

Board Comment

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, commented: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and value creation in our primary operations. We are prioritizing selecting the right chief executive to lead the systematic rollout of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said sales dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “become tougher” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the budget and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Competitors are also struggling. Another major chain disclosed the closing of 68 restaurants a recently, after the business behind its British operations faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Trying to keep up with market shifts towards healthier eating, the company has rolled out light options, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as meat-free and gluten-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has 909 kcal.

Acting Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she does not want to occupy the CEO position permanently.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a multiple active growth and operational projects that we will be focused on executing at pace.”

Frampton noted these comprised further work on the organization's supply chain and product development, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent chief financial officer until the spring, when Andy Andrea joins from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. For now, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.