🔗 Share this article

A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while broadening the chain into chicken products has been replaced after tensions with its directors.

Leadership Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is departing after only 24 months 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 permanent CEO.

Rennie, who served at Domino's for a substantial period, had sought to redirect the UK's leading pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, commenting earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the quickest rising food category in the globe.

Board Disagreements

Reports indicate that there was disagreement between Rennie and the directors over his strategy and business vision, although the company's release said he was stepping down “as a joint decision”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain launched its Chick 'N' Dip product line – which the former chief referred to as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches next year as scheduled, it views fried chicken as complementary to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, commented: “We are confident that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and value creation in Domino's core business. We are focused on finding the suitable leader to lead the disciplined execution of that development approach.”

Market Difficulties

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said orders declined by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the takeaway market had “become tougher” as it blamed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15% drop in interim earnings.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Another major chain revealed the closing of 68 restaurants a month ago, after the company behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to market shifts towards better nutrition, Domino's has rolled out light items, such as its thin-crust line of bakes below 400 calories as well as vegan and gluten-free options. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she is not seeking to occupy the chief executive role permanently.

She said: “Our team has a several active development and efficiency programs that we will be focused on carrying out at speed.”

She said these involved additional efforts on the company's supply chain and menu innovation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also without a permanent CFO until the spring, when Andrea starts from the beverage producer a well-known firm. Until then, Snow acts as acting financial officer.