LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) continues to expand its global presence, recently opening its 2000th restaurant outside North America. The milestone restaurant opened in Moscow, Russia. Russia, with more than 200 restaurants, is one of the company’s fastest growing markets.
Papa John’s international business has been growing rapidly since the company took its pizza to the world by opening a restaurant in Mexico City in 1998. A decade later, Papa John’s marked another milestone with the company’s 500th international restaurant opening in Turkey in 2008, followed by the celebration of the 1000th restaurant opening in 2013.
Just over five years later, with a concerted focus on ramping up global development, the number of international restaurants has doubled.
“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone of 2000 international restaurants. It is an accomplishment few restaurant brands achieve,” Papa John’s President & CEO Steve Ritchie said. “Papa John’s will continue to focus on its quality product as well as being a strong partner to our franchisees as we seek additional opportunities to build growth around the globe.”
“Our franchisees are doing a wonderful job of bringing our pizzas to more people around the world,” Jack Swaysland, COO, International said. “International development is the long term growth engine for Papa John’s. We will continue to deliver on our BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA. promise to customers everywhere.”
Papa John’s 2000th international restaurant was opened by PJ Western, the master franchisee in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Poland.
“The opening of restaurant number 2000 outside of North America is definitely a point of pride for us,” Christopher Wynne, President and CEO of PJ Western. “Even as we continue to grow, our priority remains quality in every single restaurant. Guests can count on hot, delicious pizza that follows the original Papa John’s recipe as well as excellent service.”
Papa John’s is currently in 47 countries and territories around the globe, entering into 12 new countries in the past three years, including Israel, France, Spain, Tunisia, Iraq, the Netherlands, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Bahamas and Pakistan.
The company looks to continue its rapid global development and is seeking potential franchisees in Brazil, France, Czech Republic, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
About Papa John’s
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company. In 2018, consumers rated Papa John’s No. 1 in product and service quality in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). For 17 of the past 19 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the ACSI. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John's at www.papajohns.com. Looking to be a part of something Better? Join the Papa John’s Pizza family at www.papajohns.com/franchise.