Papa John’s International Inc. has renewed its Development Incentive Program for 2013, continuing the same offers to domestic franchisees who open new restaurants before the end of next year.
The package of incentives is available to franchisees who sign agreements for new units between now and Nov. 30, 2013, and who open new locations by Dec. 29, 2013. Rewards include waiving the $25,000 franchise fee, a royalty waiver for up to the first 18 months, a $3,000 credit with the company’s PJ Food Service purchasing co-op, and $50,000 worth of equipment, including two pizza ovens that can be purchased for $50 after three years.
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“Papa John’s continues to be a strong and growing brand with a lot of runway remaining to grow both in the U.S. and throughout the world,” Tim O’Hern, the chain’s newly promoted chief development officer, said in a statement. “We are proud to offer this industry-leading development program to help new and existing franchisees deliver our ‘Better Ingredients, Better Pizza’ to an increasing number of consumers throughout the U.S.”
As of the June 24 end of Louisville, Ky.-based Papa John’s second quarter, franchisees in North America had added 12 net locations through the first half of 2012. That total included 82 new restaurants built and 22 units closed. In addition, franchisees purchased eight corporate restaurants and in April, Papa John’s acquired 56 franchised restaurants in the Denver and Minneapolis markets and subsequently refranchised six of those locations.
Through the first six months of 2012, Papa John’s North American franchise operators tallied a collective 2.7-percent increase in same-store sales, compared with the first half of fiscal 2011. Company-owned stores logged a 5.1-percent increase in same-store sales during that period.
Papa John’s operates 643 company-owned restaurants and franchises another 2,475 locations in North America, and the chain’s international system has 855 franchised restaurants.
Contact Mark Brandau at mark.brandau@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @Mark_from_NRN