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A chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have reached maximum pizza demand while diversifying the chain into fried chicken has been ousted after disagreements with its governing body.

Executive Change

The former CEO is departing after a brief tenure in charge, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while Domino's searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for over 20 years, had sought to shift the UK's biggest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, remarking earlier this month there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He noted poultry was the quickest rising protein in the globe.

Board Disagreements

It is understood that there was friction between the CEO and the board over his focus and business vision, although the company's official statement said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

Recent Product Introduction

In the autumn, the chain unveiled its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is trialling it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as scheduled, it considers chicken products as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, said: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and profitability in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on identifying the ideal CEO to direct the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Industry Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said transactions fell by 1.5% in the latest quarter. In August, it alerted that the quick-service industry had “grown more challenging” as it attributed reduced spending in the run-up to the government announcement and rising wage costs for weaker-than-expected sales and a significant fall in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut announced the closing of dozens of outlets a recently, after the business behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to consumer trends towards healthier eating, Domino's has launched light products, such as its light base range of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and wheat-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 kcals. A big margherita has 2,171, while a small has 909 kcal.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with Domino's since the recent past, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she does not want to take on the top job long-term.

Frampton stated: “The company has a number of ongoing growth and operational projects that we will be concentrating on executing at a rapid rate.”

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

The pizza chain is also lacking a full-time chief financial officer until the spring, when a new appointee joins from the beverage producer a well-known firm. For now, Snow is temporary CFO.