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A head of Domino's Pizza Group who indicated the United Kingdom might have reached pizza saturation while expanding the chain into chicken products has been replaced after conflicts with its governing body.

Executive Transition

The former CEO is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be replaced on an acting basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant searches for a long-term chief.

The outgoing executive, who was with the company for over 20 years, had sought to shift Britain's largest pizza delivery company towards poultry-based products, stating recently there was not “massive growth” left in the British pizza industry. He observed poultry was the most rapidly expanding food category in the international market.

Governance Disagreements

It is understood that there was tension between the CEO and the board over his approach and direction, although the company's announcement said he was leaving “as a joint decision”.

Recent Product Introduction

In September, Domino's introduced its poultry offering – which the former chief referred to as a “bold new chapter” for the organization – and is testing it in 210 outlets in the North West region and Northern Ireland.

While the company is still going to roll it out across its nearly 1,400 branches in the coming year as scheduled, it views fried chicken as an addition to its main pizza offerings.

Board Comment

The Domino's chair, the Domino's chairman, stated: “Directors think that there are a series of prospects to enhance value and profitability in our primary operations. We are focused on finding the suitable leader to oversee the systematic rollout of that expansion plan.”

Industry Difficulties

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said transactions declined by 1.5% in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the quick-service industry had “become tougher” as it blamed economic uncertainty in the period before the government announcement and rising wage costs for weaker-than-expected sales and a 15 percent decline in interim earnings.

Other pizza operators are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of multiple locations a month ago, after the firm behind its UK venues fell into administration.

Health Efforts

Adapting to customer preferences towards balanced diets, the company has rolled out reduced-calorie products, such as its thin-crust line of bakes below 400 kcal as well as meat-free and wheat-free pizzas. A big pepperoni bake has 2,311 calories. A big margherita has 2,171 kcal, while a small has under 1,000 calories.

Acting Leadership

Nicola Frampton has been with Domino's since 2021, and previously worked for the gaming group a well-known operator. It is thought that she is not seeking to occupy the CEO position permanently.

She commented: “Our team has a multiple ongoing expansion and efficiency programs that we will be dedicated to implementing at speed.”

Frampton noted these involved further work on the company's procurement system and product development, and its customer retention initiative.

The pizza chain is also in need of a full-time CFO until March 16, when Andrea starts from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. Until then, Snow is acting financial officer.