Net income increased 11.8 percent at Papa John’s International Inc. during the third quarter ended Sept. 27 as same-store sales increased in both domestic and international markets, the company said Tuesday.
Net income in the period was $18 million, or 45 cents per share, rising from $16.1 million, or 39 cents per share, the previous year.
Same-store sales rose 3 percent at the Louisville, Ky.-based pizza chain’s North America locations, and 8 percent at international units.
“Our unwavering focus on quality, combined with strong digital channels, continues to drive the Papa John’s brand forward,” Papa John’s founder and CEO John Schnatter said in a statement.
Revenue in the quarter fell 0.3 percent, to $389.3 million, from $390.4 million in the same quarter the previous year. The company attributed the decline to lower revenue from equipment and food sales to franchisees.
The company also said Tuesday that it plans to refranchise in China, which, as of the end of 2014, consisted of 49 locations. The chain’s sales had been struggling there amid a food safety scare that has hurt sales at some Western brands.
Papa John’s operates its locations in China, which are in Beijing and Tianjin. The company said it has not yet identified a buyer.
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