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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the United Kingdom might have reached maximum pizza demand while broadening the company into fried chicken has been removed after tensions with its board.

Leadership Change

Andrew Rennie is exiting after only 24 months in charge, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a long-term chief.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for over 20 years, had aimed to redirect the UK's biggest pizza delivery company towards chicken offerings, remarking recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the quickest rising food category in the world.

Governance Friction

Reports indicate that there was disagreement between Rennie and the directors over his approach and management style, although the company's official statement said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

Recent Product Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's launched its chicken-focused product line – which Rennie referred to as a “significant new phase” for the company – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as planned, it regards chicken products as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Comment

Bull, the company chair, commented: “We are confident that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and profitability in the main pizza segment. We are concentrating on finding the right chief executive to lead the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said orders dipped by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In August, it warned that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for below-target performance and a 15% drop in half-year profits.

Rival chains are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut revealed the shutting of multiple locations a month ago, after the company behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Health Initiatives

Responding to customer preferences towards healthier eating, Domino's has launched light items, such as its thin-crust line of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as meat-free and gluten-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171, while a small has 909 kcal.

Acting Leadership

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to occupy the top job long-term.

She commented: “The company has a number of current expansion and operational projects that we will be dedicated to implementing at a rapid rate.”

She added these involved further work on the company's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent chief financial officer until the spring, when Andrea comes aboard from the drinks company C&C Group. For now, Richard Snow serves as acting financial officer.