It’s not the biggest number of jobs in an economic development announcement but it is certainly high-profile – especially with basketball great Shaquille O’Neal as the face of the franchise. The country’s fourth-largest and fastest-growing pizza chain Papa John’s has announced that it is moving to the Atlanta area and bringing 200 new jobs. The new global headquarters are expected to open next year.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Papa John’s to the strong list of internationally known U.S. companies that have chosen the Peach State for their global headquarters,” said Governor Kemp. “As the Top State for Business for seven consecutive years, these leading businesses know that Georgia has what they need to continue to thrive and expand. I’m confident that Papa John’s will continue finding success in Georgia, and I look forward to seeing the exceptional opportunities this brings to hardworking Georgians across metro Atlanta.”
The company is in talks with a number of potential spaces and expects to complete the process by the end of the year. They will not be leaving their current home of Louisville entirely; IT, supply chain and legal will remain in Kentucky. Menu innovation, marketing, customer experience, human resources, diversity, communications and development will all move to the new Atlanta-area offices.
“Papa John’s already has a major corporate presence in Georgia and metro Atlanta, and we know the many strengths of the region. So, we’re especially excited to be expanding here, as part of our long-term growth plans,” added Papa John’s CEO and President Rob Lynch. “We owe our record momentum over the past nine months to the commitment, dedication, and innovation of our team members. Our ability to tap into the diversity and talent of the metro Atlanta area will help us accelerate that growth.”
QSR Magazine, one of the Quick Service Restaurant industry’s go-to information sources, says that Papa John’s has been at the top of its game lately, despite Covid-19. “Even more so than chief competitor Domino’s, Papa John’s emerged from the stay-at-home season the strongest of any restaurant brand,” said QSR in its annual report on the top 50 restaurant brands. The report ranked Papa John’s 21st in its annual top 50 ranking. “It set a record for sales in April, then broke that record again in May when it registered a 33.5 percent same-store sales climb. Its delivery system is mostly to thank, of course, but so is the new corporate team and strategic plan that fell into place after new CEO Rob Lynch came onboard last August.”
The restaurant was ranked 14th in QSR’s largest chains last year but will likely move up the list when new rankings come out. The pizza giant saw a record-breaking second quarter – certainly boosted by stay-at-home orders in areas – but same-store sales grew by 24% in August as most stay-at-home orders had been rescinded.
The shock of Covid-19 and some top-down change thanks to new the CEO have come at a propitious time for the chain which had been struggling after controversy involving former CEO and founder John Schnatter. His comments regarding the NFL and race hit the company’s finances and, at one point, corporate even supplied aid for struggling franchisees.
A hard break with the aforementioned John and a reinvention of marketing, with Shaquille O’Neal as the face of the franchise, have positioned the chain well coming out of the pandemic. With a new corporate headquarters in Atlanta, expansion seems to be in the cards for some time.
