Papa John's Announces Major Menu Change
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Papa John's has announced a new pizza available on menus this month: the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust pizza.
The new pizza's base is inspired by the chain's garlic bread, with a garlic-Parmesan crust and topped with Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Fontina, and Provolone cheeses.
Why It Matters
The new pizza arrives at a time of significant competition in the fast food industry, which faces slim margins and changing consumer habits amid economic uncertainty and inflation.
Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor previously said the brand would be focusing on innovating and improving its core menu in the company's second quarter earnings call.
The Papa John's Pizza logo is shown on May 09, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
The Papa John's Pizza logo is shown on May 09, 2024 in Austin, Texas.What To Know
Papa John's has described its original dough as made from six simple ingredients: flour, salt, sugar, water, oil, and yeast, and said that the dough underpinned prior innovations such as Epic Stuffed Crust and NY Style Crust.
The company is now promoting a limited‑time price of $11.99 for a Large 1‑Topping Garlic 5‑Cheese Crust Pizza at participating locations.
Competitors have previously pursued crust innovations, including Little Caesars' pretzel mashups, Domino's Parmesan Stuffed Crust and Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites.
Papa John's reported that North America comparable sales rose 1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, while international comparable sales increased by 4 percent, and the company disclosed system‑wide restaurant sales of $1.26 billion for the quarter.
The company had earlier reported a near 3 percent decline in North America same‑store sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and described consumer wallet pressures and competitive promotional intensity on the May earnings call.
"As food costs have risen, many customers have bypassed eating out and instead opted to stay home and save money," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "Additions like the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust pizza at a lower price are an attempt to reestablish a connection with customers who haven't been as active in recent months but the company hopes can be enticed to return."
The new item follows a series of menu and corporate moves by Papa John's in 2025, including making the Shaq‑a‑Roni a permanent offering, international product innovation such as a Croissant Pizza, and a C‑suite restructuring, all occurring as the chain reported a modest return to North America comparable sales growth in the second quarter.
What People Are Saying
Mark Gabrovic, vice president of culinary at Papa Johns, said in a statement: "The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza adds a smoky flavor and crisp texture to the crust and enhances the taste of our savory garlic-Parmesan and sweet pizza sauces. We've taken our iconic dough and elevated it with a crust that's flavorful and unmistakably Papa Johns. I encourage everyone to enjoy it from the outside in to get a bite of the crust first."
Shivram Vaideeswaran, SVP of Brand Marketing at Papa Johns, said in a statement: "Our dough has always been the heart of everything we do. It's a recipe rooted in simplicity and integrity—just six ingredients, perfected over decades. That foundation is what empowers us to innovate boldly with menu items that are different and unique, especially with our crusts. The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza is the best example - every bite is perfect from our high-quality toppings on our six simple ingredient dough, to the craveable five-cheese and garlic parmesan blend on the crust."
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "New offerings that entice people through the door, encourage bigger tickets, and keep the product pipeline fresh. Brands are experimenting in hopes of squeezing out more margin in an increasingly crowded market."
What Happens Next
Papa John's has projected system‑wide sales growth of 2 percent to 5 percent for 2025 and North America sales flat to up 2 percent.
The popular pizza chain also aims to have 85 to 115 North American restaurant openings for the year.
"In the hyper-competitive world of fast-casual dining, pizza chains are constantly searching for ways to boost both margins and volume," Thompson said. "The fast-food industry is in a constant cycle of reinvention. With input costs and wages on the rise, operators are looking for ways to drive more transactions as customers become more price sensitive."
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Newsweek
21 hours ago
- Newsweek
Papa John's Announces Major Menu Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Papa John's has announced a new pizza available on menus this month: the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust pizza. The new pizza's base is inspired by the chain's garlic bread, with a garlic-Parmesan crust and topped with Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Fontina, and Provolone cheeses. Why It Matters The new pizza arrives at a time of significant competition in the fast food industry, which faces slim margins and changing consumer habits amid economic uncertainty and inflation. Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor previously said the brand would be focusing on innovating and improving its core menu in the company's second quarter earnings call. The Papa John's Pizza logo is shown on May 09, 2024 in Austin, Texas. The Papa John's Pizza logo is shown on May 09, 2024 in Austin, To Know Papa John's has described its original dough as made from six simple ingredients: flour, salt, sugar, water, oil, and yeast, and said that the dough underpinned prior innovations such as Epic Stuffed Crust and NY Style Crust. The company is now promoting a limited‑time price of $11.99 for a Large 1‑Topping Garlic 5‑Cheese Crust Pizza at participating locations. Competitors have previously pursued crust innovations, including Little Caesars' pretzel mashups, Domino's Parmesan Stuffed Crust and Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites. Papa John's reported that North America comparable sales rose 1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, while international comparable sales increased by 4 percent, and the company disclosed system‑wide restaurant sales of $1.26 billion for the quarter. The company had earlier reported a near 3 percent decline in North America same‑store sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and described consumer wallet pressures and competitive promotional intensity on the May earnings call. "As food costs have risen, many customers have bypassed eating out and instead opted to stay home and save money," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "Additions like the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust pizza at a lower price are an attempt to reestablish a connection with customers who haven't been as active in recent months but the company hopes can be enticed to return." The new item follows a series of menu and corporate moves by Papa John's in 2025, including making the Shaq‑a‑Roni a permanent offering, international product innovation such as a Croissant Pizza, and a C‑suite restructuring, all occurring as the chain reported a modest return to North America comparable sales growth in the second quarter. What People Are Saying Mark Gabrovic, vice president of culinary at Papa Johns, said in a statement: "The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza adds a smoky flavor and crisp texture to the crust and enhances the taste of our savory garlic-Parmesan and sweet pizza sauces. We've taken our iconic dough and elevated it with a crust that's flavorful and unmistakably Papa Johns. I encourage everyone to enjoy it from the outside in to get a bite of the crust first." Shivram Vaideeswaran, SVP of Brand Marketing at Papa Johns, said in a statement: "Our dough has always been the heart of everything we do. It's a recipe rooted in simplicity and integrity—just six ingredients, perfected over decades. That foundation is what empowers us to innovate boldly with menu items that are different and unique, especially with our crusts. The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza is the best example - every bite is perfect from our high-quality toppings on our six simple ingredient dough, to the craveable five-cheese and garlic parmesan blend on the crust." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "New offerings that entice people through the door, encourage bigger tickets, and keep the product pipeline fresh. Brands are experimenting in hopes of squeezing out more margin in an increasingly crowded market." What Happens Next Papa John's has projected system‑wide sales growth of 2 percent to 5 percent for 2025 and North America sales flat to up 2 percent. The popular pizza chain also aims to have 85 to 115 North American restaurant openings for the year. "In the hyper-competitive world of fast-casual dining, pizza chains are constantly searching for ways to boost both margins and volume," Thompson said. "The fast-food industry is in a constant cycle of reinvention. With input costs and wages on the rise, operators are looking for ways to drive more transactions as customers become more price sensitive."
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Papa Johns New Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza Elevates Its Fresh, Never Frozen Dough, made with Six Simple Ingredients
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Papa Johns is turning up the flavor with the debut of its latest menu innovation: the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza. Inspired by the richness of garlic bread and built on the brand's signature six-ingredient dough, the pizza is a celebration of how a twist on comfort food can unlock bold and craveable flavor. The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza features a golden, garlic-parmesan crust topped with a rich blend of five premium cheeses: Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, Fontina, and Provolone. Crafted with Papa Johns signature fresh, never frozen original dough, made from just six simple ingredients—flour, salt, sugar, water, oil, and yeast—the pizza proves when quality comes first, bold flavor follows. 'The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza adds a smokey flavor and crisp texture to the crust and enhances the taste of our savory garlic-parmesan and sweet pizza sauces,' said Mark Gabrovic, VP of Culinary at Papa Johns. 'We've taken our iconic dough and elevated it with a crust that's flavorful and unmistakably Papa Johns. I encourage everyone to enjoy it from the outside in to get a bite of the crust first.' Papa Johns' original dough is more than a base; it's the foundation for innovation across the menu. From the indulgent Epic Stuffed Crust to the foldable, crispy NY Style Crust, our dough's clean and consistent profile allows bold flavors and textures to shine through in every bite. The new Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza is the latest example of how our dough inspires craveable creations that Papa Johns fans love. 'Our dough has always been the heart of everything we do,' said Shivram Vaideeswaran, SVP of Brand Marketing at Papa Johns. 'It's a recipe rooted in simplicity and integrity—just six ingredients, perfected over decades. That foundation is what empowers us to innovate boldly with menu items that are different and unique, especially with our crusts. The Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza is the best example - every bite is perfect from our high-quality toppings on our six simple ingredient dough, to the craveable five-cheese and garlic parmesan blend on the crust.' Whether you're a cheese lover, a garlic bread fanatic, or just looking to spice up your next pizza night, for a limited time, enjoy a Large 1-Topping Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza for just $11.99. To order and learn more about the Garlic 5-Cheese Crust Pizza, visit Follow Papa Johns on social on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). Not a Papa Rewards member yet? What are you waiting for? Join here! About Papa Johns Papa John's International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa Johns believes that using high-quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa Johns tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world's third-largest pizza delivery company with approximately 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit or download the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS or Android.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Papa Johns issues stern warning about customer behavior
It is no secret that fast food has become less affordable for consumers over the past few years as prices have skyrocketed in the quick-service restaurant industry. A report from the Roosevelt Institute last year found that fast-food prices have increased by almost 47% over the past decade. The average price of a typical fast-food meal in large U.S. cities is now $11.56, according to a recent report from LendingTree. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter As fast-food chains raise prices, many consumers across the country are avoiding fast food like the flu. According to KPMG's Consumer Pulse Summer 2025 report, 69% of U.S. consumers in the survey said that they eat at home more often rather than eating out, and 85% said that saving money was the main reason for this decision. Related: Papa Johns makes major menu change to win back customers Papa Johns (PZZA) is one of the many restaurant chains that have seen weak consumer demand over the past few financial quarters amid this growing trend. Papa Johns' second-quarter earnings report for 2025 revealed that its comparable sales in the U.S. only increased by 1% year-over-year, while company-owned restaurants in the region were flat, a slight improvement from the declining sales it faced last quarter. However, the company's net income declined by roughly 22% year-over-year. Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images During an earnings call on Aug. 7, Papa Johns revealed that while the number of pizzas ordered during the second quarter increased by 6%, the amount of money customers spent per order slightly decreased. Papa Johns Chief Financial Officer Ravi Thanawala said during the call that the company also noticed a decrease in sales over the last few weeks after a strong second-quarter performance. "Through the first five weeks of the third quarter, North America comparable sales are down approximately 1% as we've seen a more cautious consumer and softer carryout business," said Thanawala. Related: Pizza Hut's wild new menu offer for customers keeps selling out The decrease in sales comes after Papa Johns recently made bold menu changes to win back customers. In June, it announced that its Shaq-a-Roni pizza, which was launched in 2020 for a limited time, will become a permanent menu item, selling for $15.99 nationwide. The pizza chain also recently added a Cheddar Crust pizza to its menu, which starts at $11.99, and Cheddar Cheesesticks for $10.50. Papa Johns also recently launched its first-ever Croissant Pizza. During the call, Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor emphasized that the company is battling heightened competition. "You know, it is intense," said Penegor. "There is a lot of competitive activity out there. You know, you gotta win the hearts and minds from consumer, both from a value and a quality perspective." To boost sales, Papa Johns is relying on several major changes to attract customers. In June, it launched a marketing campaign that emphasized the "six simple ingredients" of its "fresh, never frozen original dough." "Our customers have told us that using simple, fresh ingredients is our biggest and most important differentiator, and we've doubled down on that message in our national marketing campaign," said Penegor. "Consumers want high-quality pizza with real ingredients, and our messaging strategy meets them where they are, emphasizing our points of differentiation and showcasing select core products at relevant price points." More Food + Dining: Papa Johns makes major menu change to win back customersSteak 'n Shake's beef tallow fries aren't as healthy as they appearChick-fil-A angers customers with major change in stores He also said the company is further investing in artificial intelligence to "enhance the ordering experience, better anticipate our customers' needs, generate proactive recommendations, and share relevant offers and messaging based on learned customer preferences." Papa Johns also hopes that its revamped loyalty program will continue to attract customers with exclusive deals. The pizza chain is also planning to launch new menu items soon. "Coming up, we've got an on-trend shareable pizza format with a new lineup of dipping sauces," said Penegor. "And we got in test what we're calling the Grand Papa, which is our biggest pizza ever, and we're excited about that one too." Throughout the rest of 2025, consumers should expect to see new Papa Johns stores across the country as the company plans to open 85 to 115 new stores in the U.S. However, it is also anticipating U.S. store closures to be at the higher end of its historical average of approximately 1.5 to 2%, impacting small-town restaurants. Amid these changes and recent customer behavior, Papa Johns expects comparable U.S. sales to either be flat or up 2% by the end of the year. Related: McDonald's faces another major boycott from customers The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
