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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while diversifying the chain into chicken products has been ousted after conflicts with its governing body.

Executive Shake-Up

Rennie is leaving after a brief tenure in charge, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who served at the company for a substantial period, had sought to shift Britain's leading pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, remarking in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted chicken was the most rapidly expanding food category in the international market.

Governance Tensions

Reports indicate that there was friction between Rennie and the board over his approach and management style, although Domino's official statement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Launch

In September, the chain unveiled its poultry product line – which the former chief referred to as a “bold new chapter” for the company – and is piloting it in select stores in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches next year as planned, it views chicken products as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

Bull, the company chairman, stated: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to boost expansion and value creation in the main pizza segment. We are prioritizing identifying the right chief executive to direct the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said orders dipped by one and a half percent in the Q3. In the summer, it warned that the takeaway market had “become tougher” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Another major chain revealed the closure of dozens of outlets a last month, after the firm behind its British operations entered insolvency.

Wellness Efforts

Responding to market shifts towards better nutrition, Domino's has launched lower-calorie products, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and gluten-free pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and previously worked for the betting firm William Hill. It is thought that she prefers not to take on the top job permanently.

She said: “We have a several ongoing growth and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on carrying out at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these comprised additional efforts on the organization's supply chain and product development, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also without a full-time chief financial officer until 16 March, when a new appointee joins from the beverage producer C&C Group. In the meantime, Richard Snow acts as acting financial officer.