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Papa John’s signs its largest development deal in North America in 20 yearsPapa John’s signs its largest development deal in North America in 20 years

Papa John’s entered an agreement with franchisee HB Restaurant Group to open 49 new stores in the Philadelphia area from 2021 to 2028

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

September 11, 2020

2 Min Read
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Papa John's is continuing its hot streak with a new development deal.Papa John's

Joanna Fantozzi

It’s a new era of growth for once-struggling pizza chain Papa John’s. The company — which has reported record-high sales growth during the pandemic — just signed its largest development deal in North America in 20 years. Papa John’s entered the agreement with franchisee HB Restaurant Group — a major Papa John’s partner since April 2019 — to open 49 new stores in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area from 2021 to 2028, allowing the company to expand its growth in a market they had not really penetrated yet.

“Papa John’s is at the beginning of exploding development growth domestically and it all started with our innovation,” Papa John’s chief development officer Amanda Clark said. “For many years handcuffs were placed on the...

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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