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The boss of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit peak pizza while diversifying the franchise into fried chicken has been removed after conflicts with its directors.

Executive Transition

The former CEO is leaving after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a long-term chief.

Rennie, who was with the company for over 20 years, had aimed to pivot Britain's biggest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, remarking in a recent interview there was not “huge potential” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He observed poultry was the quickest rising menu item in the globe.

Board Disagreements

Sources suggest that there was disagreement between Rennie and the board over his approach and direction, although Domino's release said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

New Product Launch

In September, the chain introduced its poultry offering – which Rennie described as a “significant new phase” for the organization – and is testing it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still planning to expand it across its almost 1,400 stores in the coming year as scheduled, it considers chicken products as complementary to its primary pizza operations.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and profitability in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing identifying the right chief executive to lead the disciplined execution of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “intensified” as it attributed reduced spending in the lead-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Competitors are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut revealed the closure of dozens of outlets a last month, after the firm behind its outlets fell into administration.

Wellness Initiatives

Adapting to customer preferences towards healthier eating, the company has introduced light options, such as its light base line of bakes below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 calories. A big margherita has 2,171, while a personal has 909 calories.

Acting Leadership

Nicola Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the betting firm a well-known operator. It is believed that she is not seeking to assume the top job on a full-time basis.

She commented: “Our team has a number of active expansion and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on carrying out at pace.”

Frampton noted these involved ongoing development on the company's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also without a full-time CFO until March 16, when a new appointee starts from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Snow acts as interim finance chief.