🔗 Share this article

A head of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have hit maximum pizza demand while diversifying the company into chicken products has been removed after disagreements with its board.

Executive Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is departing after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for over 20 years, had sought to pivot Britain's largest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, stating earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed chicken was the most rapidly expanding food category in the globe.

Board Tensions

Reports indicate that there was disagreement between the CEO and the governance team over his focus and business vision, although the company's announcement said he was stepping down “as a joint decision”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In September, the chain introduced its poultry product line – which the former chief called a “bold new chapter” for the group – and is piloting it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as planned, it regards chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the Domino's chair, said: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to drive further growth and profitability in the main pizza segment. We are prioritizing finding the right chief executive to oversee the disciplined execution of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said orders dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “become tougher” as it attributed reduced spending in the lead-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut revealed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its UK venues faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Adapting to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out light products, such as its Thin & Crispy range of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as meat-free and wheat-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has 909 calories.

Interim Management

Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and previously worked for the gaming group William Hill. It is thought that she prefers not to occupy the chief executive role permanently.

She said: “Our team has a multiple active development and operational projects that we will be concentrating on executing at speed.”

Frampton noted these comprised further work on the company's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a long-term chief financial officer until March 16, when Andrea comes aboard from the drinks company C&C Group. Until then, Snow acts as interim finance chief.