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A chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the UK might have hit pizza saturation while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after disagreements with its directors.

Executive Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is exiting after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the company's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's seeks a long-term chief.

The outgoing executive, who was with the company for over 20 years, had attempted to shift the UK's largest pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, commenting earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He noted chicken was the most rapidly expanding food category in the international market.

Board Tensions

Reports indicate that there was disagreement between the CEO and the directors over his approach and direction, although Domino's announcement said he was leaving “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Product Launch

In the autumn, Domino's unveiled its poultry offering – which Rennie described as a “significant new phase” for the company – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as scheduled, it views chicken products as an addition to its core pizza business.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and profitability in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on selecting the right chief executive to direct the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “grown more challenging” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the budget and higher payroll outlays for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also struggling. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Health Efforts

Responding to customer preferences towards healthier eating, Domino's has launched lower-calorie options, such as its thin-crust range of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as vegan and gluten-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a personal has 909 kcal.

Acting Management

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and was formerly with the betting firm a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to occupy the top job permanently.

She said: “Our team has a number of ongoing growth and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on implementing at a rapid rate.”

She added these included further work on the organization's logistics network and new item creation, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also without a permanent CFO until March 16, when Andy Andrea comes aboard from the beverage producer a well-known firm. For now, Snow is interim finance chief.