Papa John's International
American pizza restaurant company and the fourth-largest pizza delivery chain in the United States.
Company Type
public
Founded
1984
Headquarters
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Stock
NASDAQ: PZZA
About Papa John's International
Papa John's International is the fourth-largest pizza delivery chain in the United States, founded in 1984 by John Schnatter. Under current leadership, the company operates over 5,000 locations in 50+ countries through a primarily franchised model. Papa John's trades on NASDAQ (PZZA) and focuses on quality ingredients, digital innovation, and international expansion while navigating competitive pizza market dynamics.
History of Papa John's International
Papa John's International was founded in 1984 by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Schnatter began selling pizzas from a converted bar in his father's tavern, using high-quality ingredients and focusing on superior taste as his competitive advantage. The company's growth was rapid, fueled by its commitment to quality ingredients and the memorable slogan "Better Ingredients. Better Pizza."
The company began franchising in 1986, which accelerated its expansion across the United States and internationally. Papa John's went public in 1993, trading on the NASDAQ under ticker PZZA, providing capital for continued growth and expansion.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Papa John's grew to become the fourth-largest pizza chain in the United States, competing with Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Little Caesars. The company expanded internationally and invested heavily in technology and delivery infrastructure.
In 2018, the company faced a significant crisis when founder John Schnatter made controversial comments during a conference call, leading to his resignation as chairman and departure from the company's board. Under new leadership, Papa John's has focused on rebuilding its brand, menu innovation, digital transformation, and international expansion.
In recent years, Papa John's has implemented significant operational improvements and strategic initiatives. In 2025, the company reported mixed financial results with North American comparable sales declining 3% while international comparable sales increased 7%, reflecting strong growth in overseas markets. The company has been optimizing its supply chain for cost savings and improving fixed operating margins at U.S. commissaries.
Papa John's has also been evaluating refranchising select company-owned restaurants to growth-oriented franchisees to accelerate development and improve the franchisee economic model. The company continues to invest in digital ordering technology, delivery logistics, and menu innovation to compete effectively in the highly competitive pizza delivery market dominated by Domino's and emerging digital-first competitors.
Brands Owned by Papa John's International
Papa John's International owns 1 brand in our database.
Stock Information
Papa John's International Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Fourth-largest pizza delivery chain in the United States with established brand recognition
- +Primarily franchised business model (95%) providing stable royalty income and lower capital requirements
- +Strong international growth with 7% comparable sales growth in overseas markets
- +Focus on quality ingredients and "Better Ingredients. Better Pizza" brand positioning
- +Extensive distribution network ensuring consistent product quality across franchise system
- +Publicly traded company providing access to capital markets for growth and acquisitions
- +Experienced management team successfully navigating post-founder transition period
- +Strong franchisee relationships and support infrastructure
Considerations
- -Intense competition from Domino's, Pizza Hut, and emerging digital-first delivery platforms
- -Declining North American comparable sales (-3% in 2025) indicating domestic market challenges
- -Dependence on franchisee performance for overall system growth and brand consistency
- -Limited menu diversity compared to multi-brand restaurant competitors
- -Vulnerability to economic downturns affecting discretionary dining spending
- -Supply chain and commodity cost volatility affecting franchisee profitability
- -Need for continuous technology investment to compete with digital ordering platforms
- -Brand reputation recovery following 2018 founder controversy requiring ongoing rebuilding efforts
Frequently Asked Questions About Papa John's International
Is Papa John's owned by another company?
No, Papa John's International is an independent publicly traded company with no parent organization. The company trades on NASDAQ under ticker PZZA and is owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders worldwide.
Is Papa John's publicly traded?
Yes, Papa John's International is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol PZZA. The company has been publicly traded since its IPO in 1993, allowing investors to purchase shares and own a portion of the pizza chain.
Who owns Papa John's?
Papa John's International is owned by its public shareholders through NASDAQ trading. Founder John Schnatter, who previously held controlling interest, no longer has operational control or significant ownership following his departure in 2018. The company is now owned by a diverse group of institutional and individual investors.
When was Papa John's founded?
Papa John's International was founded in 1984 by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The company began as a single pizza operation in a converted bar and grew through franchising to become the fourth-largest pizza chain in the United States.
How many Papa John's locations are there?
Papa John's International operates more than 5,000 restaurant locations in over 50 countries worldwide. Approximately 95% of these locations are owned and operated by independent franchisees, with the remaining 5% being company-owned restaurants.
What is Papa John's market position?
Papa John's is the fourth-largest pizza delivery chain in the United States, behind Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Little Caesars. The company competes primarily on quality ingredients and has a strong international presence with growing comparable sales in overseas markets.
Does Papa John's own other restaurant brands?
No, Papa John's International maintains a focused portfolio centered exclusively on the Papa John's Pizza brand. Unlike larger restaurant holding companies, Papa John's concentrates solely on pizza delivery and carryout, allowing the company to dedicate all resources to pizza innovation and delivery services.
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