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The head of the UK's Domino's Pizza chain who suggested the United Kingdom might have hit peak pizza while broadening the chain into chicken products has been replaced after conflicts with its governing body.

Leadership Shake-Up

The former CEO is departing after a brief tenure in the top role, and will be replaced on an temporary basis by the organization's chief operating officer, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant seeks a new leader.

The outgoing executive, who worked for Domino's for more than two decades, had aimed to shift Britain's leading pizza delivery company towards fried chicken, commenting recently there was not “huge potential” left in the UK's pizza market. He noted poultry was the fastest-growing menu item in the world.

Governance Friction

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

Recent Brand Launch

In September, the chain introduced its Chick 'N' Dip offering – which the former chief called a “major strategic shift” for the company – and is trialling 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 regards chicken products as complementary to its main pizza offerings.

Leadership Comment

The Domino's chair, the company chair, stated: “Directors think that there are a range of possibilities to drive further growth and value creation in Domino's core business. We are concentrating on identifying the ideal CEO to direct the careful implementation of that growth strategy.”

Industry Difficulties

Earlier this month, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the UK and Ireland, said transactions declined by 1.5 percent in the latest quarter. In August, it alerted that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed weaker consumer confidence in the period before the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in half-year profits.

Other pizza operators are also facing challenges. Pizza Hut announced the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the firm behind its UK venues entered insolvency.

Health Efforts

Responding to market shifts towards balanced diets, Domino's has introduced reduced-calorie items, such as its light base selection of pizzas below 400 kcal as well as vegan and wheat-free options. A family-sized pepperoni has 2,311 kcals. A family cheese pizza has 2,171, while a personal has 909 calories.

Acting Management

Nicola Frampton has been with the company since the recent past, and was formerly with the betting firm William Hill. It is understood that she is not seeking to take on the top job on a full-time basis.

She said: “Our team has a multiple current development and performance initiatives that we will be concentrating on executing at pace.”

She added these included ongoing development on the organization's logistics network and menu innovation, and its rewards program.

Domino's is also in need of a long-term finance director until the spring, when Andrea comes aboard from the Irish cider and beer maker C&C Group. For now, Richard Snow acts as temporary CFO.