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A chief executive of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit maximum pizza demand while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after disagreements with its directors.

Executive Shake-Up

Andrew Rennie is leaving after only 24 months in charge, and will be succeeded on an acting basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who worked for the company for more than two decades, had sought to redirect Britain's leading pizza food delivery firm towards fried chicken, commenting earlier this month there was not “significant expansion” left in the UK's pizza market. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding menu item in the international market.

Board Disagreements

It is understood that there was disagreement between the CEO and the directors over his focus and business vision, although the company's official statement said he was stepping down “by mutual agreement”.

New Brand Launch

In September, the chain launched its chicken-focused brand – which Rennie described as a “significant new phase” for the company – and is testing it in select stores in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still planning to expand it across its almost 1,400 stores next year as intended, it considers chicken products as complementary to its core pizza business.

Board Statement

The Domino's chair, the company chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a number of opportunities to drive further growth and profitability in our primary operations. We are focused on finding the right chief executive to oversee the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Market Challenges

Recently, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the British Isles, said orders fell by 1.5% in the Q3. In the summer, it cautioned that the food delivery sector had “grown more challenging” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the government announcement and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in six-month income.

Other pizza operators are also struggling. Pizza Hut announced the closure of 68 restaurants a recently, after the firm behind its British operations fell into administration.

Health Initiatives

Adapting to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has introduced light products, such as its light base line of pizzas below 400 calories as well as vegan and wheat-free pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A large cheese and tomato pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has under 1,000 calories.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with Domino's since 2021, and was formerly with the gaming group William Hill. It is understood that she is not seeking to take on the CEO position permanently.

Frampton stated: “Our team has a multiple active expansion and performance initiatives that we will be focused on executing at speed.”

She added these involved additional efforts on the organization's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.

The pizza chain is also lacking a permanent CFO until 16 March, when Andy Andrea starts from the drinks company a well-known firm. Until then, Snow is interim finance chief.