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The head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit maximum pizza demand while expanding the company into fried chicken has been replaced after tensions with its directors.

Executive Shake-Up

The former CEO is departing after just two years in charge, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at the company for over 20 years, had aimed to shift the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, remarking in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He observed poultry was the fastest-growing protein in the world.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was friction between Rennie and the board over his strategy and management style, although the company's announcement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

New Product Introduction

In September, Domino's unveiled its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief called a “bold new chapter” for the company – and is piloting it in over 200 locations 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 fried chicken as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Board Statement

Bull, the Domino's chair, commented: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are focused on selecting the ideal CEO 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 orders dipped by 1.5 percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it blamed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for below-target performance and a significant fall in six-month income.

Competitors are also struggling. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of dozens of outlets a recently, after the business behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Health Initiatives

Trying to keep up with consumer trends towards better nutrition, the company has launched lower-calorie items, such as its thin-crust line of bakes below 400 calories as well as vegan and gluten-free pizzas. A family-sized pepperoni has over 2,300 kcal. A family cheese pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a individual has 909 kcal.

Interim Leadership

Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and was formerly with the gaming group William Hill. It is thought that she does not want to occupy the chief executive role permanently.

Frampton stated: “We have a multiple ongoing expansion and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on executing at speed.”

Frampton noted these involved ongoing development on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its loyalty scheme.

Domino's is also in need of a full-time CFO until 16 March, when Andy Andrea joins from the beverage producer a well-known firm. In the meantime, Richard Snow is acting financial officer.