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The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the UK might have reached pizza saturation while broadening the chain into chicken products has been replaced after conflicts with its directors.

Executive Transition

Andrew Rennie is leaving after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's searches for a permanent CEO.

Rennie, who served at Domino's for over 20 years, had aimed to redirect the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, stating recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He said chicken was the quickest rising protein in the world.

Governance Friction

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his focus and business vision, although Domino's official statement said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

New Brand Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's unveiled its poultry offering – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is testing it in 210 outlets in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as scheduled, it views chicken products as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, said: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and profitability in our primary operations. We are concentrating on identifying the right chief executive to lead the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, Domino's, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said sales declined by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the quick-service industry had “become tougher” as it blamed reduced spending in the period before the budget and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.

Competitors are also struggling. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of dozens of outlets a recently, after the business behind its UK venues entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Adapting to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out lower-calorie options, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of bakes below 400 calories as well as vegan and allergy-friendly pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

Frampton has been with the company since the recent past, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she does not want to take on the CEO position long-term.

She said: “The company has a number of active expansion and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on implementing at a rapid rate.”

She said these included further work on the organization's supply chain and product development, and its loyalty scheme.

Domino's is also without a permanent finance director until the spring, when a new appointee comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. Until then, Richard Snow acts as acting financial officer.