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A boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the United Kingdom might have hit peak pizza while broadening the chain into fried chicken has been replaced after conflicts with its directors.

Leadership Transition

Rennie is leaving after only 24 months in leadership, and will be succeeded on an acting basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's looks for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who was with Domino's for more than two decades, had attempted to shift the UK's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards fried chicken, stating recently there was not “huge potential” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He said chicken was the quickest rising food category in the world.

Board Tensions

Sources suggest that there was disagreement between Rennie and the governance team over his approach and management style, although the company's official statement said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In the autumn, Domino's launched its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which Rennie referred to as a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is testing it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its extensive network in the coming year as scheduled, it regards fried chicken as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Statement

The Domino's chair, the company chairman, said: “The board believes that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are concentrating on selecting the suitable leader to direct the systematic rollout of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said transactions fell by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the lead-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.

Competitors are also struggling. Another major chain revealed the closure of 68 restaurants a last month, after the company behind its outlets fell into administration.

Wellness Efforts

Adapting to consumer trends towards healthier eating, the company has introduced reduced-calorie items, such as its thin-crust selection of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Interim Management

Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and previously worked for the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she is not seeking to take on the chief executive role on a full-time basis.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a number of active development and operational projects that we will be concentrating on executing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these included further work on the company's procurement system and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a full-time CFO until the spring, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Snow serves as temporary CFO.