🔗 Share this article

The head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the UK might have reached peak pizza while expanding the chain into fried chicken has been ousted after disagreements with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

The former CEO is exiting after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be succeeded on an acting basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for over 20 years, had aimed to pivot Britain's biggest pizza food delivery firm towards chicken offerings, commenting in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He observed chicken was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the globe.

Governance Tensions

It is understood that there was friction between the CEO and the board over his strategy and management style, although Domino's announcement said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, Domino's launched its Chick 'N' Dip offering – which the former chief referred to as a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is trialling it in select stores in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches next year as intended, it considers fried chicken as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

Ian Bull, the Domino's chair, commented: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to boost expansion and profitability in our primary operations. We are prioritizing identifying the suitable leader to lead the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

Earlier this month, Domino's, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said orders declined by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the budget and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also facing challenges. Another major chain announced the closure of dozens of outlets a month ago, after the company behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Wellness Efforts

Adapting to customer preferences towards balanced diets, the company has launched lower-calorie items, such as its light base selection of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and allergy-friendly options. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 kcals. A big margherita has over 2,100, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she is not seeking to occupy the CEO position long-term.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a several ongoing development and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on executing at pace.”

She said these involved ongoing development on the company's supply chain and new item creation, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also without a full-time finance director until 16 March, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. In the meantime, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.