Franopolis

    Papa John’s Pizza

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    1986
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Louisville, KY, United States
    Source: franchise.org

    Papa Johns sells pizza, wings, sides, desserts and beverages. Its restaurants offer delivery and carryout, with orders placed through its website, app or local stores.

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    Headline figures

    Papa John’s Pizza quick facts

    Is Papa John’s Pizza a franchise?
    Yes. Papa John’s Pizza offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2024, it reported 2,752 franchised and 539 company-owned outlets (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 81).
    How much does it cost to open a Papa John’s Pizza franchise?
    The Papa John’s Pizza Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $281,485–$890,267 for total estimated initial investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $281,485 to $890,267 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $125,000–$423,302 for total estimated initial investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $125,000 to $423,302 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 25); $261,165–$853,365 for standard restaurant — total estimated initial investment low (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $111,000–$403,915 for non-traditional — total estimated initial investment low (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 26). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Papa John’s Pizza initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $5,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 14). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Papa John’s Pizza charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 6% (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 16). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 25% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Papa John’s Pizza disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Papa John’s Pizza FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 74). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Papa John’s Pizza locations are there?
    The FDD reports 3,291 outlets at the end of 2024 (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 81). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
    Is Papa John’s Pizza a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $281,485 – $890,267 (Total Estimated Initial Investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $281,485 to $890,267); $125,000 – $423,302 (Total Estimated Initial Investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $125,000 to $423,302); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 15 separate groups: other measures for 513 locations; other measures for 2,350 locations; other measures for 2,265 locations; other measures for 598 Franchised locations; other measures for 112 Company-owned locations; other measures for 579 locations; other measures for 448 Company-owned locations; other measures for 2,365 locations; other measures for 2,265 locations; other measures for 2,389 locations; other measures for 2,337 locations; other measures for 513 locations; other measures for 501 locations; other measures for 448 locations; other measures for 2,389 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets grew by 71 in 2024, to 3,291 (U.S. only; Alaska and Hawaii included, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Franchises under $150kOther brands whose disclosed Item 7 low end fits this budget.Compare outlet trendsPut Item 20 counts side by side with up to 3 other brands.

    Papa John’s Pizza head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Papa John’s PizzaVSLittle Caesars
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    Papa John’s PizzaVSWingstop
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    Papa John’s PizzaVSSubway
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    Papa John’s PizzaVSSonic Drive-In
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 2 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • Total Estimated Initial Investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $125,000 to $423,302PDF p. 25$125,000 – $423,302
    • Total Estimated Initial Investment (pre-opening and first 3 months): $281,485 to $890,267PDF p. 24$281,485 – $890,267

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 14
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Traditional royalty rateMain ongoing fee

    26 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    15 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    513 locations

    Other measures · 513 locations

    Who is counted
    Standard company-owned restaurants, 2024
    Period
    2024
    Method
    Weekly per-store net sales; years 2021–2025

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    U.S. only; Alaska and Hawaii included, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of Fiscal year-end of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 81

    Net +111 outlets, 2022–2024

    03,18020223,22020233,2912024+40+71

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2024 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($125,000 – $890,267) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units went from 3,220 to 3,291 in 2024. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 14
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard company-owned restaurants, 2024 · PDF p. 74
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants, 2023 · PDF p. 74
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants · PDF p. 74
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic standard franchised restaurants, Top 25% · PDF p. 72
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic standard company-owned restaurants, Top 25% · PDF p. 73
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard company-owned restaurants, 2021 · PDF p. 74
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic standard company-owned restaurants · PDF p. 73
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants, 2024 · PDF p. 74
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants, 2021 · PDF p. 74
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants, 2025 · PDF p. 74
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard franchised restaurants, 2022 · PDF p. 74
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard company-owned restaurants, 2023 · PDF p. 74
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard company-owned restaurants, 2022 · PDF p. 74
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Standard company-owned restaurants, 2025 · PDF p. 74
    16. [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Domestic standard franchised restaurants · PDF p. 72
    17. [17]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 81

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    806 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2024accounts receivable$14,692
    2024net cash provided by operating activities$112,034
    2024royalty fees$141,892
    2024franchise fees$1,349
    2024total revenues$143,241
    2024total member’s equity$20,210
    2024total liabilities$17,183
    2024general and administrative expenses$34,905
    2024total costs and expenses$35,265
    2024operating income$107,976
    2024net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$107,976
    2024total assets$37,393

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    What changed from 2025 to 2026

    • Estimated initial investment: $111,000 – $853,365 → $125,000 – $890,267
    • Franchise fee: $60,865 → $5,000
    • System size: 3,220 → 3,291 units

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Little CaesarsWingstopSubwaySonic Drive-InJimmy John'sFive Guys

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Papa John’s Pizza vs Little CaesarsPapa John’s Pizza vs WingstopPapa John’s Pizza vs SubwayPapa John’s Pizza vs Sonic Drive-InPapa John’s Pizza vs Jimmy John'sPapa John’s Pizza vs Five Guys
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Reader notes on wording

    Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.

    • Item 6 · PDF p. 17 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Papa Card Transaction and IVR Fees maximum

      “Maximum - 2% of Papa Card redemption transactions, unless we approve a higher rate”

      Note: The cited quote could not be located on the cited FDD page.

    • Item 6 · PDF p. 17 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Software Maintenance Fee per month

      “Software Maintenance Fee $375 per month.”

      Note: The cited quote could not be located on the cited FDD page.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 81 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Franchised 2024: 2689 → 2752

      “Franchised 2024 2689 2752 63”

      Note: The cited page does not establish the Table 1 systemwide start/end row.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 81 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Company-Owned 2024: 531 → 539

      “Company- Owned** 2024 531 539 8”

      Note: The cited page does not establish the Table 1 systemwide start/end row.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 81 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Company-Owned 2023: 522 → 531

      “Company- Owned** 2023 522 531 9”

      Note: The cited page does not establish the Table 1 systemwide start/end row.

    • Item 20 · PDF p. 81 · 2025 FDD

      Our summary: Franchised 2023: 2658 → 2689

      “Franchised 2023 2658 2689 31”

      Note: The cited page does not establish the Table 1 systemwide start/end row.

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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