Papa John’s UK records a 7% sales growth, to use UK closure strategy in US

Papa John’s recorded a 7% increase in sales across its UK operations in the three months to 28 December 2025, as the company revealed plans to replicate its UK site-closure strategy to address challenges in the US market.

In North America, like-for-like sales declined by 2% during the period, largely due to weaker performance from company-owned stores. This was offset by stronger international trading, where like-for-like sales rose by 5%.

Chief executive Todd Penegor said the brand delivered 6% comparable sales growth internationally, supported by strong performances across key markets in the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe. The UK was a standout market, achieving 7% comparable sales growth.

Penegor highlighted the company’s efforts to broaden its menu beyond core pizza offerings. In the UK, Papa John’s has introduced new crispy coated chicken tenders and a range of dipping sauces, which have driven higher sales of side items. He said the company is encouraged by the early results and intends to apply these insights to future chicken innovation in the US.

Papa John’s plans to close 300 underperforming restaurants across the US, the majority of which are franchise-owned. Chief financial officer and North America president Ravi Thanawala said these restaurants fall short of brand standards and don’t have a path to sustainable financial improvement. Many of the restaurants are more than a decade old and generate average unit volumes of less than $600,000. Thanawala noted that a similar closure strategy was previously implemented in the UK when he was managing Papa John’s international business, resulting in improving average unit volumes by 17%.

Read More:

Propel

QSR Magazine