Papa John's International is going to take on larger rivals Pizza Hut and Domino's in Canada. The Louisville pizza chain announced plans yesterday to open 57 restaurants in Canada by 2016. Franchisees will be responsible for all of the new locations, with the first stores opening this year. Like its other international ventures, the Papa John's foray into Canada comes against bigger and more established competitors. Pizza Hut, part of Louisville-based Yum! Brands, had almost 400 stores in Canada as of late last year. Domino's, of Ann Arbor, Mich., had 281 franchised restaurants in Canada as of March 23. Still, Papa John's has high hopes for Canada, where it now has 17 locations split between Calgary and British Columbia.
Under the deals announced yesterday, Atlantic Franchising Ltd. will open 20 locations for Papa John's along the eastern coast. Another 10, operated by MJ Taylor Holding Co., will open in Saskatchewan. And Bajco LLC will build 15 restaurants in western Ontario, and PDR Associates has committed to 12 stores in eastern Ontario. "Canada is a key focus area for our international expansion, and these multi-unit franchise operators will help us further establish a strong foothold in that country," David Flanery, Papa John's chief financial officer and international managing director, said in a statement.
Courier-Journal
