Papa John’s brings a slice of America to Sunderland

Papa John’s celebrates the opening of its new branch in Sunderland, bringing its UK store total to over 350.

Takeaway franchise Papa John’s has opened its doors in the city of Sunderland following months of anticipation. Lots of renovation work was needed before the Fulwell site was ready, having previously been home to a fish and chip shop, but it’s finally serving its delicious pizza to the residents of Sunderland.

Expert business partners and franchisees Bhasker Dhawan, Lakhwinder Singh and Sukhbir Gill have over 30 years’ experience in the pizza industry under their belts. The Sunderland branch is their fifth opening as a trio and they hope that it will follow the success of their other franchises. To celebrate the opening, staff christened the new kitchen by making and delivering pizzas to local emergency services workers and charities for free.

Mr Dhawan thanked the community for its support and said why he’d decided to give the pizzas away. “The local community has been very supportive so far, so we thought it would be a good idea to give something back.”

He explained why he thinks Papa John’s has managed to stand out in the UK. “The main difference with Papa John’s is that, although we do the traditional pizzas, we also experiment with more unusual toppings and sauces. We also offer a deep pan crust with cheese to the end, which is very popular.”

And with delicious and exciting pizzas including Hog Roast (with an apple sauce base) and BBQ Cheeseburger on offer, Mr Dhawan certainly isn’t wrong. The new opening has also provided a boost to the area by creating around 45 jobs for pizza enthusiasts across Sunderland.

With over 350 sites in the UK and ambitious plans for expansion on the horizon, Papa John’s is bringing an authentic slice of American pizza to homes across the country.