Papa John’s Waives Fees To Spur Expansion

Louisville Courier-Journal:

Hoping to expand its pizza empire in a recession, Papa John’s International said yesterday that it will waive royalty fees for a year for franchisees who open new restaurants in the coming months.

The Louisville-based company also will waive the initial franchise fee, worth $25,000, for investors who open a location by Dec. 27.

Papa John’s is the nation’s third-largest pizza chain with more than 3,400 restaurants worldwide.

“We see the current economy as an opportunity for growth,” Jude Thompson, the company’s new president and chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Keith Sullins, a Papa John’s franchisee based in Houston, plans to build four pizzerias as part of the program.

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