🔗 Share this article

The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the UK might have hit pizza saturation while broadening the chain into chicken products has been removed after tensions with its directors.

Executive Transition

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the company's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's searches for a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who served at the company for a substantial period, had aimed to pivot the UK's largest pizza food delivery firm towards poultry-based products, remarking recently there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He observed chicken was the fastest-growing menu item in the world.

Board Tensions

Sources suggest that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his approach and management style, although the company's release said he was stepping down “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Introduction

In September, Domino's launched its poultry brand – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is trialling it in 210 outlets in the north-west of England and the province.

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

Leadership Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to boost expansion and profitability in the main pizza segment. We are prioritizing finding the ideal CEO to direct the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, Domino's, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said sales dipped by 1.5% in the Q3. In the summer, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “intensified” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain revealed the closure of 68 restaurants a month ago, after the company behind its outlets fell into administration.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, Domino's has launched lower-calorie options, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and gluten-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Acting Management

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she does not want to assume the chief executive role permanently.

She commented: “We have a multiple active development and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to implementing at pace.”

She said these comprised additional efforts on the organization's procurement system and new item creation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also in need of a long-term CFO until the spring, when Andy Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. For now, Richard Snow is temporary CFO.