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The chief executive of Domino's Pizza Group who suggested the UK might have reached pizza saturation while diversifying the company into poultry items has been removed after disagreements with its board.

Executive Shake-Up

The former CEO is departing after only 24 months in charge, and will be succeeded on an interim basis by the company's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while Domino's searches for a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for over 20 years, had sought to redirect the UK's largest pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, remarking earlier this month there was not “significant expansion” left in the British pizza industry. He noted poultry was the quickest rising food category in the international market.

Governance Friction

It is understood that there was disagreement between the CEO and the board over his strategy and business vision, although Domino's announcement said he was departing “as a joint decision”.

New Brand Introduction

In September, the chain introduced its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief described as a “bold new chapter” for the organization – and is testing it in over 200 locations in the north-west of England and the province.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its extensive network in 2026 as intended, it views fried chicken as complementary to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Statement

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, stated: “The board believes that there are a number of opportunities to enhance value and value creation in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on selecting the suitable leader to direct the systematic rollout of that growth strategy.”

Market Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said transactions fell by one and a half percent in the Q3. In the summer, it cautioned that the takeaway market had “grown more challenging” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the lead-up to the budget and increasing labor expenses for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Competitors are also experiencing difficulties. Another major chain announced the closing of multiple locations a month ago, after the business behind its British operations fell into administration.

Wellness Efforts

Responding to consumer trends towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out reduced-calorie items, such as its light base line of bakes below 400 calories as well as vegan and allergy-friendly pizzas. A large pepperoni pizza has 2,311 calories. A family cheese pizza has 2,171, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Management

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and was formerly with the gambling company a well-known operator. It is believed that she is not seeking to assume the chief executive role permanently.

She commented: “The company has a multiple ongoing growth and efficiency programs that we will be focused on implementing at pace.”

She said these included ongoing development on the company's supply chain and menu innovation, and its customer retention initiative.

Domino's is also lacking a permanent CFO until the spring, when Andrea joins from the Irish cider and beer maker a well-known firm. Until then, Snow is acting financial officer.