Pizza chain Papa John’s has announced plans to expand, both in locations and with new menu items.
The third-largest pizza chain is making deals to open 57 new locations in Canada, saying that this is a continuation of its Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. theme.
The agreements call for 20 restaurants to be built throughout the Atlantic Provinces by franchisee PJ Atlantic Franchising Ltd., and 10 to be built in Saskatchewan by MJ Taylor Holding Company. Additionally, Bajco LLC has agreed to build 15 restaurants in Western Ontario, with PDR Associates Inc., committed to build an additional 12 units in Eastern Ontario. Each franchise group has committed to opening one or more restaurants in 2008.
“Canada is a key focus area for our international expansion, and these multi-unit franchise operators will help us further establish a strong foothold in that country,” said David Flanery, Papa John’s chief financial officer and managing director. “There’s a growing demand for better quality pizza in Canada, and we, along with our franchisees, are eager to continue meeting that demand by delivering our award-winning pizza.”
In a related note, Papa John’s says that its consumers have demanded more specialty pizzas, causing them to introduce the new Rustic Italian Meats pizza, a collection of spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, baby portabella mushrooms, fresh-sliced green peppers, red onions and a three-cheese blend of mozzarella, parmesan and romano served with a robusto pizza sauce. The pizza will be available for a limited-time at $11.99.
In addition, the Tuscan Six Cheese pizza will be added as a new, permanent menu item. Featuring a thin crust, topped with traditional pizza sauce and a blend of six cheeses – mozzarella, parmesan, romano, asiago, provolone and fontina, the Tuscan Six Cheese pizza also will be available for $11.99.
“It’s great when we can deliver our customers the products they are demanding at an affordable price,” said Bill Van Epps, Papa John’s president, USA. “The Rustic Italian Meats and Six Cheese pizzas feature a wide variety of our fresh, quality ingredients the whole family can enjoy.”
