Papa John's to open 50 UK locations in next four years
More than 170 locations across Latin America, Spain and Portugal are also planned.
Papa John’s is building an additional 50 locations in the UK in the next four years, as part of an agreement with its largest franchisee Drake Food Service International (DFSI).
DFSI recently purchased over 60 Papa John's restaurants in London, making it the brand's largest franchisee in the country.
The agreement between the two companies also includes plans to open more than 170 Papa John’s locations across Latin America, Spain and Portugal, where DFSI operates more than 280 restaurants. Under the terms of this expanded partnership, DFSI will operate more than 560 Papa John's restaurants by 2025.
"This growth of our partnership with Papa John's will accelerate our efforts to deliver on our ambitious business goals, through opening new restaurants and inviting new subfranchisees to join us and grow our base of passionate Papa John's customers around the world," Ignacio Astete, DFSI CEO, said in a media release. "Our leadership in operational excellence and technology, coupled with our commitment to the creation of shared value, combined with the love that Papa John's has built for its brand among people across the world, has created a foundation for continuing our joint success into the future."
"As a master franchisee of Papa John's, DFSI has proven to be a valued and strategic partner in accelerating our development in international markets," added Jack Swaysland, COO, International, Papa John's. "Together with DFSI — now our largest franchisee in the U.K. — we look forward to introducing new customers to the better ingredients. Better pizza, promise of Papa John's."
DFSI began operating Papa John's restaurants in 2015 and has managed the growth of the brand in several international markets, including Chile. It started operations in Chile in 2015 by acquiring 32 Papa John's restaurants and is expected to manage 381 restaurants in seven countries by the end of 2021.
