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The boss of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who proposed the United Kingdom might have reached maximum pizza demand while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after disagreements with its board.

Executive Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is departing after only 24 months in the top role, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's looks for a long-term chief.

The outgoing executive, who worked for the company for more than two decades, had sought to shift Britain's largest pizza food delivery firm towards chicken offerings, stating recently there was not “significant expansion” left in the pizza sector in the UK. He said chicken was the quickest rising menu item in the globe.

Board Tensions

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the board over his focus and direction, although the company's announcement said he was stepping down “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In September, the chain introduced its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which Rennie described as a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as planned, it regards chicken products as an addition to its core pizza business.

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the Domino's chairman, stated: “We are confident that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and performance improvement in Domino's core business. We are prioritizing finding the right chief executive to lead the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Market Challenges

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it alerted that the quick-service industry had “become tougher” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the government announcement and rising wage costs for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15% drop in half-year profits.

Other pizza operators are also facing challenges. Another major chain revealed the closing of 68 restaurants a last month, after the business behind its UK venues entered insolvency.

Health Initiatives

Trying to keep up with market shifts towards healthier eating, the company has rolled out light options, such as its Thin & Crispy range of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as plant-based and gluten-free options. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A big margherita has over 2,100, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Management

The interim chief has been with the company since the recent past, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she does not want to assume the chief executive role on a full-time basis.

She commented: “Our team has a multiple current expansion and operational projects that we will be concentrating on implementing at pace.”

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

The pizza chain is also in need of a permanent CFO until the spring, when a new appointee comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. In the meantime, Richard Snow is interim finance chief.