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The chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the UK might have reached peak pizza while broadening the chain into poultry items has been removed after disagreements with its board.

Leadership Shake-Up

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

The outgoing executive, who was with the company for more than two decades, had sought to redirect Britain's biggest pizza delivery company towards chicken offerings, commenting earlier this month there was not “massive growth” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding protein in the world.

Governance Tensions

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the board over his focus and direction, although Domino's announcement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

Recent Brand Launch

In the autumn, the chain introduced its chicken-focused offering – which Rennie described as a “significant new phase” for the group – and is trialling it in select stores in the north-west of England and the province.

While the firm is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores next year as scheduled, it considers fried chicken as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Statement

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, said: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are concentrating on identifying the ideal CEO to oversee the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

Earlier this month, Domino's, which has millions of users in the British Isles, said sales dipped by 1.5% in the Q3. In the summer, it alerted that the food delivery sector had “grown more challenging” as it blamed reduced spending in the run-up to the government announcement and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Another major chain disclosed the closing of 68 restaurants a month ago, after the company behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Health Efforts

Responding to market shifts towards better nutrition, Domino's has launched reduced-calorie items, such as its light base range of bakes below 400 calories as well as plant-based and wheat-free options. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a small has 909 calories.

Acting Management

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and previously worked for the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she prefers not to take on the chief executive role long-term.

She commented: “The company has a number of ongoing growth and operational projects that we will be dedicated to carrying out at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these comprised additional efforts on the company's procurement system and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative.

The pizza chain is also without a long-term CFO until 16 March, when a new appointee joins from the drinks company a well-known firm. Until then, Snow acts as temporary CFO.