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A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit peak pizza while broadening the chain into fried chicken has been replaced after disagreements with its governing body.

Leadership Change

The former CEO is exiting after only 24 months in the top role, and will be succeeded on an acting basis by the company's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at Domino's for over 20 years, had sought to shift Britain's leading pizza takeaway chain towards fried chicken, stating earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted poultry was the quickest rising food category in the international market.

Governance Tensions

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his focus and management style, although Domino's release said he was leaving “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Product Introduction

In September, the chain introduced its poultry offering – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is testing it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the business is still going to roll it out across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as intended, it considers chicken products as a supplement for its core pizza business.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, commented: “The board believes that there are a range of possibilities to drive further growth and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are focused on selecting the ideal CEO to direct the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said transactions dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In the summer, it alerted that the quick-service industry had “intensified” as it blamed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut revealed the shutting of dozens of outlets a last month, after the business behind its UK venues fell into administration.

Health Initiatives

Trying to keep up with consumer trends towards healthier eating, Domino's has launched reduced-calorie options, such as its Thin & Crispy range of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and gluten-free pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A big margherita has over 2,100, while a small has 909 kcal.

Interim Management

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company a well-known operator. It is understood that she is not seeking to take on the chief executive role long-term.

Frampton stated: “The company has a number of current growth and efficiency programs that we will be focused on carrying out at speed.”

She said these included additional efforts on the organization's procurement system and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also in need of a full-time finance director until 16 March, when a new appointee comes aboard from the beverage producer a well-known firm. For now, Richard Snow acts as acting financial officer.