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A chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the UK might have hit pizza saturation while broadening the chain into fried chicken has been replaced after conflicts with its directors.

Leadership Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in charge, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who served at Domino's for more than two decades, had aimed to redirect the UK's biggest pizza food delivery firm towards chicken offerings, remarking recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding food category in the globe.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his approach and management style, although the company's official statement said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

New Product Launch

In September, the chain introduced its Chick 'N' Dip offering – which Rennie called a “major strategic shift” for the organization – and is trialling it in 210 outlets in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as intended, it regards fried chicken as a supplement for its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the Domino's chairman, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and value creation in the main pizza segment. We are prioritizing finding the ideal CEO to direct the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said orders fell by one and a half percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it blamed reduced spending in the run-up to the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Competitors are also struggling. Pizza Hut disclosed the shutting of multiple locations a recently, after the company behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Health Initiatives

Responding to market shifts towards better nutrition, Domino's has rolled out light items, such as its light base line of bakes below 400 calories as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a personal has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Management

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

Frampton stated: “The company has a several ongoing expansion and operational projects that we will be dedicated to carrying out at pace.”

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

The pizza chain is also without a full-time CFO until March 16, when Andrea joins from the drinks company C&C Group. For now, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.