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The boss of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have hit maximum pizza demand while broadening the franchise into poultry items has been removed after disagreements with its governing body.

Executive Change

Rennie is leaving after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for Domino's for more than two decades, had attempted to redirect Britain's largest pizza takeaway chain towards chicken offerings, commenting earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the quickest rising protein in the international market.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the governance team over his strategy and direction, although the company's release said he was stepping down “through mutual consent”.

New Product Introduction

In September, the chain launched its chicken-focused product line – which Rennie referred to as a “significant new phase” for the group – and is testing it in over 200 locations 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 regards chicken products as an addition to its core pizza business.

Board Comment

Ian Bull, the company chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and value creation in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on finding the ideal CEO to direct the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it blamed reduced spending in the period before the budget and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain announced the closure of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Trying to keep up with customer preferences towards better nutrition, the company has introduced reduced-calorie options, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and gluten-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a small has 909 calories.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and previously worked for the betting firm a well-known operator. It is believed that she prefers not to occupy the CEO position long-term.

Frampton stated: “The company has a several ongoing growth and operational projects that we will be concentrating on executing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these comprised additional efforts on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also lacking a full-time CFO until March 16, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Richard Snow serves as interim finance chief.