- Papa Johns has quietly closed 44 underperforming stores across 17 states this year, following an announcement in February to shutter approximately 300 locations by the end of 2027.
- The closures are attributed to declining sales and intense competition from other fast-food chains, particularly chicken-centric restaurants like Raising Cane's and Dave's Hot Chicken, Fast Company reported.
- Texas has been most affected, with a dozen Papa Johns locations closing, while Arizona, California and Florida also saw multiple store closures.
- Papa Johns' North American sales have seen significant declines, including a 2 percent drop in 2025 and a 6.4 percent decrease in the first quarter of 2026.
- The struggles are not unique to Papa Johns, as other pizza chains like Pizza Hut are also closing underperforming stores, indicating a broader challenge within the pizza restaurant sector.
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