🔗 Share this article

A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached maximum pizza demand while expanding the chain into poultry items has been replaced after tensions with its board.

Leadership Change

Andrew Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a new leader.

Rennie, who was with Domino's for more than two decades, had sought to pivot the UK's leading pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, stating in a recent interview there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the fastest-growing menu item in the globe.

Board Friction

It is understood that there was friction between Rennie and the governance team over his strategy and business vision, although the company's official statement said he was leaving “by mutual agreement”.

Recent Product Launch

In September, the chain unveiled its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is piloting it in select stores in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its almost 1,400 stores in 2026 as scheduled, it regards chicken products as complementary to its primary pizza operations.

Board Comment

Bull, the Domino's chairman, said: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and value creation in our primary operations. We are prioritizing selecting the suitable leader to oversee the systematic rollout of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said orders fell by one and a half percent in the latest quarter. In the summer, it cautioned that the food delivery sector had “become tougher” as it blamed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the budget and higher payroll outlays for below-target performance and a significant fall in six-month income.

Competitors are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its outlets entered insolvency.

Wellness Initiatives

Adapting to customer preferences towards better nutrition, the company has launched reduced-calorie items, such as its thin-crust selection of bakes below 400 kcals as well as vegan and wheat-free options. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171, while a small has 909 calories.

Interim Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since the recent past, and previously worked for the gambling company William Hill. It is thought that she is not seeking to occupy the CEO position long-term.

Frampton stated: “The company has a number of active growth and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to implementing at speed.”

She said these comprised ongoing development on the company's procurement system and menu innovation, and its loyalty scheme.

The pizza chain is also lacking a long-term CFO until March 16, when Andy Andrea joins from the drinks company a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.