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The head of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while broadening the chain into fried chicken has been removed after tensions with its board.

Executive Transition

The former CEO is departing after just two years in the top role, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the company's chief operating officer, Frampton, while Domino's searches for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for over 20 years, had aimed to pivot Britain's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards chicken offerings, commenting in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He said chicken was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the international market.

Governance Tensions

Sources suggest that there was disagreement between Rennie and the board over his approach and management style, although Domino's official statement said he was departing “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Brand Introduction

In the autumn, the chain launched its poultry brand – which the former chief referred to as a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is testing it in 210 outlets in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

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

Board Statement

Ian Bull, the company chairman, stated: “We are confident that there are a series of prospects to boost expansion and value creation in the main pizza segment. We are focused on identifying the ideal CEO to oversee the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Recently, Domino's, which has millions of users in the UK and Ireland, said transactions dipped by 1.5% in the Q3. In August, it warned that the quick-service industry had “grown more challenging” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain disclosed the closing of multiple locations a recently, after the business behind its outlets faced financial collapse.

Wellness Efforts

Trying to keep up with consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has introduced lower-calorie items, such as its thin-crust selection of bakes below 400 kcal as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A large pepperoni pizza has over 2,300 kcal. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and had a background at the gambling company a well-known operator. It is understood that she does not want to take on the top job on a full-time basis.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a several active development and performance initiatives that we will be focused on carrying out at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these involved ongoing development on the organization's supply chain and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also lacking a permanent finance director until the spring, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow acts as acting financial officer.