2 days ago
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.
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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."
