Papa John’s Pizza

Papa John’s Pizza is a well-established pizza chain known for delivery and carryout service. The company began in 1984 when John Schnatter opened the first location in the back of his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Franchising started just a year later, which helped Papa John’s grow quickly across the United States and then internationally.

As of November 2025, Papa John’s operates 5,971 restaurants in about 50 countries and territories. The brand has a strong footprint in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with co-headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, and Atlanta, Georgia. Over the past five years, Papa John’s has expanded its menu and invested in digital ordering, adapting to changing consumer habits and the competitive quick-service restaurant market. The company continues to open new stores in priority markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, China, and the Middle East.

Papa John’s is actively seeking franchisees and real estate partners for both traditional and non-traditional locations, including delivery and carryout formats. The brand’s established franchise system, scale, and ongoing expansion make it a reliable anchor or co-tenant in a variety of retail settings. Its flexibility in store formats and willingness to enter new markets reflect an adaptable approach and sustained demand for new sites.