Has Pizza Peaked? Domino's CEO Departs After Pivot Into Fried Chicken.
A head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who indicated the UK might have hit maximum pizza demand while expanding the chain into chicken products has been removed after disagreements with its governing body.
Executive Change
Andrew Rennie is exiting after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Frampton, while Domino's seeks a long-term chief.
Rennie, who was with the company for a substantial period, had sought to redirect the UK's leading pizza takeaway chain towards chicken offerings, remarking recently there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed chicken was the quickest rising menu item in the world.
Governance Disagreements
Sources suggest that there was friction between Rennie and the directors over his approach and management style, although Domino's announcement said he was leaving “by mutual agreement”.
New Brand Introduction
In September, the chain unveiled its Chick 'N' Dip brand – which Rennie referred to as a “bold new chapter” for the group – and is piloting it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and the province.
While the company is still planning to expand it across its nearly 1,400 branches in 2026 as intended, it views fried chicken as a supplement for its main pizza offerings.
Leadership Comment
Ian Bull, the Domino's chair, commented: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to boost expansion and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are focused on identifying the ideal CEO to lead the careful implementation of that expansion plan.”
Industry Difficulties
Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said orders fell by one and a half percent in the Q3. In the summer, it warned that the food delivery sector had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.
Rival chains are also facing challenges. Another major chain disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a recently, after the company behind its outlets entered insolvency.
Wellness Efforts
Responding to consumer trends towards healthier eating, the company has rolled out light items, such as its Thin & Crispy line of bakes below 400 kcals as well as vegan and allergy-friendly pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 kcals. A large cheese and tomato pizza has over 2,100, while a small has 909 calories.
Acting Leadership
Frampton has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the gaming group a well-known operator. It is understood that she prefers not to occupy the chief executive role on a full-time basis.
Frampton stated: “Our team has a several current growth and performance initiatives that we will be dedicated to implementing at a rapid rate.”
She added these included further work on the company's procurement system and product development, and its rewards program.
The pizza chain is also without a full-time finance director until March 16, when Andy Andrea joins from the beverage producer a well-known firm. For now, Snow is interim finance chief.
