Papa John’s Franchise: Get a Slice of the Action

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 30/11/2017, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Papa John’s Franchise: Get a Slice of the Action — Photo © papa-johns-franchise-information.jpg

If the world of quick service Italian food has stolen your heart and you want a “pizza” the action in this lucrative, growing sector of industry, why not start your own Papa John’s franchise. Read on, and discover not just the history of this popular pizza delivery business, but details about how you can invest with Papa John’s in the here and now.

The UK is the third most hungry-for-pizza country in the world [PureTravel], so it’s no surprise that in such a pizza loving climate, franchise businesses like Papa John’s see real success. If you’d love to start your own fast food delivery franchise and work within a 400-outlet-strong network, Papa John’s awaits.

Does Papa John’s franchise in the UK?

Yes, PapaJohn’s welcomes UK franchisees. There are hundreds of locations across the country, and the pizza franchise giant is currently working towards its new goal of opening 600+ sites - of which you could manage multiple one day! If you’re looking for a UK pizza franchise investment with a hugely profitable company, Papa John’s could be the perfect option.

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Exploring the history of Papa John’s pizza

The story of Papa John’s is a wild one. The pizza restaurant began in a knocked-out broom closet converted into a makeshift pizza shop, all the way back in 1984. Founder John Schnatter didn’t have much, but he used the money he received from selling his car to purchase some equipment (used) and started selling fresh, delicious pizza to his very first customers.

Even with second-hand equipment and a tiny setting to his name, John’s pizzas quickly developed a great reputation for their delicious, more-ish quality. These days, Papa John’s has long since outgrown the broom closet, developing a global reputation and employing over 15,000 people as of 2020 [US Securities and Exchange Commission]. There are over 4,000 stores worldwide and over 400 in the UK, plus a further 50 in Ireland.

The secret to success is much like the secret to making a better pizza - the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. Our pizza family is as hungry for perfection today as we were when we first opened our doors more than 30 years ago. And we're driven to be the best at making innovative new products and recipes. - Papa John’s

Starting a Papa John’s franchise unit in the fast food sector

Interested in making a career change with a pizza franchise like Papa John’s? Who wouldn’t be. Running your own Papa John’s franchise unit - or group of units - is an internationally proven opportunity to find profitability via a tried-and-tested formula. The first UK PapaJohn’s store opened in 2000, and it’s been loved by Brits far and wide ever since.

The proof is in the pizza, and Papa John’s is proud to have been named Pizza Delivery Chain of the Year multiple times over by the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association. If you want to become a franchisee with Papa John’s, there are 3 questions you need to know the answer to:

1. How do you become a Papa John’s franchisee?

You don’t need any previous experience in fast food, pizza or restaurant management, though previous catering or retail experience would definitely be helpful. You should, however, be a great written and spoken communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills and a can-do attitude. You should also be:

Dedicated to the work
Driven to succeed
Passionate about pizza and Italian food
Always willing to learn new things
Willing to follow the proven Papa John’s business model
Entrepreneurial and business-minded
Demonstrative of creativity and initiative

If you feel you tick all of these boxes, you’d likely make an excellent Papa John’s franchisee. Choosing the ideal pizza franchise that meets your professional wants and needs won’t be easy with so much choice on the market right now, but with a tried and tested option like Papa John’s you really can’t go wrong.

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How much do you need to invest?

You’ll need to pay a fairly substantial amount if you choose to invest with Papa John’s, and this is definitely something to bear in mind as you assess suitability. The brand name is a huge factor when it comes to how much an investment costs, and obviously, Papa John’s is very much a household name.

To become a Papa John’s franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £18,500 and a total investment cost of £200,000. For a smaller pizza franchise with less brand recognition like Caprinos, that would be reduced to a minimum investment figure of around £85,000.

3. What do you get for your investment?

Papa John’s has been up and running as a franchise business for a long time now, and it’s nailed the franchise package in this time, providing franchisees with everything they need to succeed. In the words of the franchise, “We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver the training and support you need to ensure you get your Papa John’s up and running, delivering a better pizza every time. We are with you all the way.” In return for an investment, building, fit-out and equipment costs will largely be covered and you’ll receive:

A free oven
A royalty reduction programme
Six weeks of initial training at the Milton Keynes international training centre, including classroom and practical work
Further training courses on an ongoing basis, both in the classroom and online
Extensive and continuous support from a dedicated Franchise Business Manager
Targeted marketing support
Recruitment and staff training support
Product control and pricing assistance
Further operational support and guidance from head office

Start running your own business today with an investment in a Papa John’s UK pizza delivery business

There are so many advantages to running a fast food franchise like Papa John’s, and if you’re more certain than ever now that you’d love to invest with this network and start running your own business in the Papa John’s family, don’t let anything stop you. To keep exploring your options, why not look into some other amazing American franchise businesses currently expanding across the UK, like Auntie Anne’s and Dunkin’ Donuts.