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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the UK might have hit peak pizza while broadening the company into fried chicken has been removed after disagreements with its governing body.

Executive Change

Andrew Rennie is departing after a brief tenure in charge, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while Domino's looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for the company for a substantial period, had aimed to pivot Britain's largest pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, stating earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the quickest rising protein in the world.

Board Tensions

It is understood that there was tension between Rennie and the board over his strategy and management style, although Domino's release said he was departing “through mutual consent”.

New Product Launch

In the autumn, the chain introduced its chicken-focused offering – which Rennie called a “significant new phase” for the company – and is trialling it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and the province.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in the coming year as scheduled, it views chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Comment

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, commented: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and profitability in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing selecting the right chief executive to direct the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In the summer, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it attributed reduced spending in the period before the budget and rising wage costs for below-target performance and a significant fall in half-year profits.

Competitors are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the closing of multiple locations a last month, after the company behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Wellness Efforts

Adapting to market shifts towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced light options, such as its thin-crust selection of bakes below 400 calories as well as plant-based and gluten-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A big margherita has 2,171, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the betting firm a well-known operator. It is understood that she is not seeking to take on the CEO position long-term.

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

She said these comprised further work on the organization's supply chain and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also in need of a permanent CFO until the spring, when Andy Andrea joins from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Snow serves as temporary CFO.