🔗 Share this article Has Pizza Peaked? Domino's Pizza Chief Executive Exits Following Shift Into Fried Chicken. A head of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been removed after conflicts with its governing body. Leadership Shake-Up Andrew Rennie is departing after a brief tenure in leadership, and will be succeeded on an temporary basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief. Rennie, who served at the company for a substantial period, had aimed to pivot the UK's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, remarking in a recent interview there was not “massive growth” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the fastest-growing protein in the international market. Board Friction Reports indicate that there was tension between the CEO and the directors over his approach and management style, although the company's announcement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”. New Brand Introduction In September, the chain launched its chicken-focused product line – which the former chief described as a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is piloting it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and Northern Ireland. While the firm is still intending to launch it across its nearly 1,400 branches in the coming year as planned, it considers chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings. Leadership Statement The Domino's chair, the company chairman, commented: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to enhance value and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are concentrating on finding the ideal CEO to oversee the disciplined execution of that expansion plan.” Industry Challenges In the latest update, Domino's, which has a substantial customer base in the UK and Ireland, said sales fell by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In the summer, it alerted that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the period before the budget and rising wage costs for disappointing revenue and a significant fall in interim earnings. Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its British operations entered insolvency. Health Initiatives Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced light products, such as its light base range of pizzas below 400 kcals as well as meat-free and gluten-free options. A large pepperoni pizza has over 2,300 kcal. A large cheese and tomato pizza has 2,171 kcal, while a small has 909 calories. Interim Management Nicola Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is thought that she prefers not to take on the chief executive role long-term. She said: “Our team has a number of current growth and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to executing at speed.” She said these comprised additional efforts on the company's supply chain and new item creation, and its customer retention initiative. The pizza chain is also in need of a full-time chief financial officer until March 16, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. In the meantime, Snow acts as acting financial officer.