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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the United Kingdom might have hit pizza saturation while expanding the chain into fried chicken has been removed after tensions with its governing body.

Leadership Change

The former CEO is exiting after a brief tenure in charge, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the company's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a new leader.

Rennie, who worked for Domino's for more than two decades, had aimed to shift the UK's largest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, remarking recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the British pizza industry. He said poultry was the quickest rising food category in the globe.

Board Disagreements

Reports indicate that there was disagreement between the CEO and the board over his strategy and direction, although Domino's official statement said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

Recent Brand Launch

In September, Domino's unveiled 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 of England and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as planned, it regards chicken products as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Comment

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chair, stated: “We are confident that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and value creation in our primary operations. We are focused on selecting the right chief executive to direct the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said sales declined by 1.5% in the third quarter. In the summer, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15% drop in half-year profits.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the business behind its British operations faced financial collapse.

Health Efforts

Responding to market shifts towards better nutrition, Domino's has launched light products, such as its thin-crust selection of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and wheat-free options. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A big margherita has 2,171 kcal, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

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

She said: “Our team has a number of ongoing growth and operational projects that we will be focused on carrying out at speed.”

She added these comprised additional efforts on the company's procurement system and product development, and its loyalty scheme.

Domino's is also in need of a permanent chief financial officer until the spring, when Andrea comes aboard from the beverage producer a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow is temporary CFO.