🔗 Share this article

A head of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the United Kingdom might have reached peak pizza while diversifying the franchise into fried chicken has been removed after tensions with its governing body.

Executive Shake-Up

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a permanent CEO.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for a substantial period, had sought to redirect Britain's largest pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, commenting earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He noted chicken was the fastest-growing protein in the globe.

Board Tensions

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his focus and business vision, although the company's official statement said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In September, Domino's introduced its chicken-focused offering – which the former chief described as a “bold new chapter” for the group – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its extensive network in the coming year as intended, it views chicken products as a supplement for its primary pizza operations.

Board Statement

Bull, the company chair, said: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are focused on finding the right chief executive to lead the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Industry 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 third quarter. In the summer, it warned that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Pizza Hut disclosed the shutting of dozens of outlets a last month, after the business behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Health Initiatives

Adapting to customer preferences towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced lower-calorie products, such as its thin-crust selection of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as plant-based and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A big margherita has 2,171 kcal, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gaming group William Hill. It is thought that she is not seeking to occupy the chief executive role permanently.

Frampton stated: “We have a several ongoing development and operational projects that we will be dedicated to carrying out at pace.”

She said these comprised ongoing development on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a full-time chief financial officer until 16 March, when Andrea joins from the beverage producer a well-known firm. Until then, Snow serves as acting financial officer.