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The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while broadening the company into poultry items has been removed after tensions with its directors.

Leadership Change

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

The outgoing executive, who served at Domino's for more than two decades, had attempted to pivot Britain's leading pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, remarking recently there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He said poultry was the quickest rising protein in the international market.

Board Friction

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his strategy and business vision, although the company's announcement said he was stepping down “by mutual agreement”.

New Product Launch

In September, Domino's unveiled its poultry product line – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches next year as intended, it views fried chicken as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are prioritizing identifying the ideal CEO to oversee the disciplined execution of that growth strategy.”

Market Difficulties

Earlier this month, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said sales dipped by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it cautioned that the food delivery sector had “become tougher” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain disclosed the closing of dozens of outlets a last month, after the firm behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Adapting to consumer trends towards healthier eating, Domino's has introduced light products, such as its light base selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and gluten-free pizzas. 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 Management

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the betting firm William Hill. It is understood that she is not seeking to take on the CEO position on a full-time basis.

She commented: “The company has a several active development and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to carrying out at a rapid rate.”

She said these involved ongoing development on the organization's logistics network and menu innovation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also in need of a permanent chief financial officer until March 16, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. For now, Snow serves as interim finance chief.