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A chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have hit peak pizza while broadening the chain into poultry items has been ousted after tensions with its governing body.

Leadership Change

Andrew Rennie is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

The outgoing executive, who worked for the company for over 20 years, had sought to pivot the UK's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, remarking recently there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding protein in the globe.

Board Friction

Sources suggest that there was friction between Rennie and the governance team over his approach and business vision, although the company's announcement said he was stepping down “through mutual consent”.

Recent Product Launch

In the autumn, the chain introduced its poultry offering – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is trialling it in 210 outlets in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as scheduled, it considers chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, commented: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are focused on identifying the suitable leader to oversee the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

Earlier this month, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales dipped by one and a half percent in the latest quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in interim earnings.

Other pizza operators are also facing challenges. Another major chain disclosed the closing of dozens of outlets a recently, after the company behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards better nutrition, the company has introduced lower-calorie items, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 calories as well as meat-free and wheat-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A family cheese pizza has 2,171, while a individual has 909 calories.

Acting Management

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gaming group a well-known operator. It is understood that she prefers not to occupy the CEO position permanently.

She commented: “We have a several active expansion and efficiency programs that we will be focused on executing at speed.”

She said these included ongoing development on the company's procurement system and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a full-time CFO until 16 March, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. For now, Snow serves as interim finance chief.