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A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have reached maximum pizza demand while broadening the company into chicken products has been ousted after disagreements with its governing body.

Executive Change

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in leadership, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the company's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's looks for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who served at Domino's for more than two decades, had attempted to shift the UK's biggest pizza takeaway chain towards poultry-based products, stating recently there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the fastest-growing food category in the international market.

Governance Friction

Reports indicate that there was friction between the CEO and the directors over his focus and business vision, although the company's release said he was departing “through mutual consent”.

Recent Product Launch

In the autumn, Domino's introduced its Chick 'N' Dip product line – which the former chief called a “bold new chapter” for the organization – and is piloting it in 210 outlets in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still intending to launch it across its almost 1,400 stores next year as scheduled, it regards fried chicken as a supplement for its core pizza business.

Board Comment

Bull, the Domino's chairman, said: “We are confident that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and profitability in the main pizza segment. We are prioritizing finding the right chief executive to oversee the systematic rollout of that development approach.”

Industry Difficulties

In the latest update, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the British Isles, said sales dipped by 1.5 percent in the Q3. In August, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the budget and rising wage costs for below-target performance and a 15 percent decline in half-year profits.

Competitors are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut revealed the closure of multiple locations a last month, after the firm behind its UK venues entered insolvency.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to customer preferences towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out reduced-calorie options, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of bakes below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and allergy-friendly pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has over 2,300 kcal. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a individual has 909 kcal.

Acting Leadership

The interim chief has been with the company since 2021, and was formerly with the betting firm William Hill. It is believed that she does not want to assume the chief executive role permanently.

She said: “Our team has a number of ongoing expansion and performance initiatives that we will be concentrating on executing at a rapid rate.”

Frampton noted these involved further work on the organization's supply chain and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

The pizza chain is also lacking a full-time CFO until the spring, when a new appointee comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. In the meantime, Richard Snow serves as interim finance chief.