Papa John’s, the American pizza giant, is preparing to make a significant return to the Indian market by October, with an ambitious goal of opening 650 outlets across the country by 2035, Bloomberg reported.
The move marks the company’s re-entry into a market it exited in 2017 due to underperformance. The renewed effort will begin with the opening of its first store in Bengaluru, according to Vish Narain, managing partner at Pulsar Capital, one of the two joint master franchisees along with UAE-based PJP Investments Group.
Despite current headwinds facing the fast-food industry in India, Papa John’s is confident in the country’s long-term potential. Urban consumers have recently cut back on discretionary spending due to slow wage growth and rising competition, leading to weaker sales at several established chains.
For instance, Devyani International, one of Pizza Hut’s franchisees, has been closing underperforming outlets, while Sapphire Foods India has slowed down expansion.
Nevertheless, Pulsar Capital believes the fast-food category in India remains under-penetrated and is still far from saturation. The investment firm sees an opportunity to tap into the country’s vast and growing population of over 1.4 billion. This optimism mirrors that of other global consumer brands like Hindustan Unilever and Heineken, which continue to invest heavily in India.
Papa John’s re-entry follows the arrival of Little Caesars, intensifying competition in a space led by Domino’s, which operates over 2,200 stores, and Pizza Hut, with around 950 locations.
To stand out, Papa John’s plans to adapt its menu to local tastes while still offering its signature pizzas. This strategy echoes what other major fast-food brands have done, with KFC’s paneer zinger, Domino’s chicken tikka pizza, and Subway’s potato-patty sandwich being notable examples.
Papa John’s is a global pizza chain with operations in more than 45 countries and territories. The company has expanded internationally through a franchise model, combining standardised product quality with local market adaptation. Its restaurants offer a range of pizzas and related menu items, supported by digital ordering platforms and delivery services.
