Papa Johns plans big expansion in India
Papa Johns is set to enter a new market in a big way.
Papa John's International announced an expanded partnership with PJP Investments Group — one of the company’s longest-tenured international franchisee partners — to open 650 restaurants in India by 2033.
The first of the new restaurants is scheduled to open in 2024 in Bangalore, followed by openings in other cities in South India and then across other regions of the country.
India is an attractive market for Papa Johns, given the country’s significant size, as well as the burgeoning income and rising aspirations of its middle class, the company noted.
“Papa Johns global momentum continues, in partnership with seasoned, successful restaurant operators like PJP Investments,” said Amanda Clark, Papa Johns chief international and development officer. “PJP Investments first partnered with Papa Johns to expand into the UAE in 2005. We are excited that their commitment to flawless execution of Papa Johns high standards is now being brought to India.”
In addition, PJP, which currently operates more than 100 Papa Johns restaurants across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, will open the first Papa Johns location in Iraq in 2024. PJP is among the first Papa Johns international franchisees to adopt a new, more modern design for international restaurants.
Within the next 10 years, PJP plans to operate nearly 1,000 Papa Johns restaurants. In recent years, Papa Johns has attracted new international franchisees, including FountainVest Partners, one of Asia’s leading independent private equity firms, who plans to open more than 1,750 new Papa Johns restaurants in China by 2040, as well as expanded agreements with existing franchisees.
Co-headquartered in Atlanta, and Louisville, Ky., Papa Johns and is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, with more than 5,700 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories as of December 25, 2022.
PJP Investments Group is owned by Levant Capital, a Dubai-based, leading private equity investment firm. It currently operates more than 100 Papa Johns restaurants across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.