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A head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while expanding the chain into poultry items has been ousted after tensions with its directors.

Leadership Change

Rennie is leaving after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at Domino's for a substantial period, had sought to shift the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards chicken offerings, commenting earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted chicken was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the world.

Governance Tensions

It is understood that there was tension between Rennie and the governance team over his strategy and direction, although the company's official statement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In the autumn, the chain launched its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief referred to as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is piloting it in over 200 locations in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the business is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as planned, it regards fried chicken as complementary to its core pizza business.

Leadership Comment

Ian Bull, the Domino's chair, commented: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are focused on selecting the right chief executive to lead the disciplined execution of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

Recently, Domino's, which has 13 million customers in the British Isles, said sales fell by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it warned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for below-target performance and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain revealed the shutting of dozens of outlets a recently, after the company behind its British operations faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Trying to keep up with customer preferences towards better nutrition, Domino's has introduced light items, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and gluten-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a small has 909 calories.

Acting Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company William Hill. It is understood that she is not seeking to occupy the chief executive role long-term.

She said: “We have a number of ongoing growth and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to carrying out at speed.”

She added these comprised further work on the organization's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a long-term CFO until the spring, when Andy Andrea starts from the drinks company a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow serves as temporary CFO.