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The head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while diversifying the company into fried chicken has been replaced after tensions with its board.

Leadership Change

Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, 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 attempted to shift Britain's biggest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, stating in a recent interview there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the quickest rising menu item in the international market.

Governance Disagreements

Sources suggest that there was friction between the CEO and the governance team over his approach and management style, although Domino's release said he was leaving “through mutual consent”.

Recent Brand Launch

In September, Domino's launched its Chick 'N' Dip offering – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the group – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the North West region and the province.

While the business is still going to roll it out across its extensive network next year as planned, it views chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Statement

Bull, the company chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are concentrating on finding the suitable leader to oversee the careful implementation of that development approach.”

Market Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said sales declined by 1.5% in the Q3. In the summer, it cautioned that the food delivery sector had “grown more challenging” as it attributed reduced spending in the run-up to the government announcement and increasing labor expenses for weaker-than-expected sales and a significant fall in six-month income.

Competitors are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut disclosed the shutting of dozens of outlets a last month, after the business behind its British operations fell into administration.

Wellness Efforts

Adapting to market shifts towards better nutrition, the company has rolled out lower-calorie products, such as its light base line of bakes below 400 kcal as well as plant-based and wheat-free options. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Leadership

Frampton has been with Domino's since the recent past, and had a background at the betting firm a well-known operator. It is understood that she is not seeking to occupy the chief executive role permanently.

She said: “Our team has a several current development and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to carrying out at speed.”

Frampton noted these comprised additional efforts on the company's supply chain and menu innovation, and its loyalty scheme.

Domino's is also without a long-term CFO until March 16, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. For now, Snow is acting financial officer.