🔗 Share this article

A head of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have hit maximum pizza demand while diversifying the franchise into fried chicken has been replaced after conflicts with its directors.

Executive Change

Rennie is exiting after only 24 months in the top role, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the company's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's seeks a new leader.

Rennie, who served at the company for a substantial period, had aimed to pivot Britain's largest pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, commenting in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted poultry was the quickest rising food category in the international market.

Board Friction

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his focus and direction, although the company's release said he was leaving “by mutual agreement”.

New Product Launch

In September, the chain introduced its Chick 'N' Dip offering – which the former chief described as a “significant new phase” for the group – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its almost 1,400 stores next year as intended, it regards fried chicken as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and profitability in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing selecting the right chief executive to lead the disciplined execution of that expansion plan.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said orders dipped by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Another major chain announced the closure of multiple locations a last month, after the business behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Health Initiatives

Responding to market shifts towards balanced diets, the company has launched reduced-calorie items, such as its Thin & Crispy range of bakes below 400 calories as well as meat-free and allergy-friendly options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has over 2,100, while a small has 909 calories.

Interim Leadership

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

She commented: “The company has a multiple active development and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to executing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these comprised further work on the company's supply chain and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also without a long-term chief financial officer until March 16, when Andy Andrea starts from the drinks company C&C Group. For now, Snow serves as temporary CFO.