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Our History

A Global Brand

A Global Brand

Papa Johns business of making pizza began in 1984 in Jeffersonville, Indiana when “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern and began selling pizza to the tavern’s customers.
By the end of 1987, Papa Johns had opened six more restaurants, including its first franchised restaurant.

Over the next three years, Papa Johns opened 40 restaurants in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and another 62 restaurants in 1991 in Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Illinois.

Over the next two years, Papa Johns development exploded when 287 restaurants opened in an additional 19 states. Over the next four years, the company continued its phenomenal growth by opening more than 1,100 restaurants.

In 1998, Papa Johns opened its first international restaurant in Mexico City. Today, Papa John’s operates in all 50 states and 30+ international markets.

UK HISTORY

UK HISTORY

The first British restaurant opened a year later in 1999 in Grays in Essex. By 2013, we celebrated the opening of the 200th UK store in the UK.
As our store numbers grew, we knew we needed to supply our franchised outlets as effectively as possible and therefore we opened our own 100% fresh Dough Plant in 2004 in Milton Keynes, ensuring increased efficiency and reduced costs for all.

Quality training was also key to growth and development and so in 2005, we opened the first Papa John’s training centre outside the US.

In the UK, Papa Johns relocated its local head office functions to its newly refurbished UK and European campus in Milton Keynes in August 2010. The facility, which took eight months to complete, now houses over 100 employees on-site and includes a QCC which is home to our fresh pizza dough factory.

Key Moments

Today it is clear our hard work is paying off. By the end of June 2020, we now have 425 stores across the UK.Across the globe, as of the end of June 2020, there are now over 5,000 Papa Johns stores in more than 40 international markets and territories.

1993-1999: Initial Public Offering of Shares in Papa Johns Triggers a Period of Rapid Growth

2001: the Birth of Papa Johns Online Ordering

2006: We Are Awarded a Guinness World Record for Our 7-year Winning Streak on Customer Satisfaction Ratings

2013: Papa Johns Opens Its 200th Store in the Uk

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Our Values

Since 1987

Values & Culture
Our Values

Perks & Progression

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Perks & Progression
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Diversity is our strength and competitive advantage.

We’re all about creating an inclusive culture that reflects the expansive nature of our brand and encourages team members from all backgrounds and experiences to be the best they can be.