Latest news with #Shaq-a-Roni
Miami Herald
10-08-2025
- Business
- 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.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Papa John's introduces new menu items
Papa John's is turning up the cheese with its new Cheddar Crust Pizza, gooey Cheddar Cheesesticks, and the fan-favourite Shaq-a-Roni – now a permanent menu item. The additions focus on bold flavours and extra cheese across the board. New Cheddar Crust Pizza If you thought pizza couldn't possibly get any cheesier – think again. Papa John's has just dropped what might be its boldest creation yet: the Cheddar Crust Pizza. Launched on June 4 and available for a limited time at select locations, this over-the-top delight promises to take your cheese obsession to the next level. 'We've taken a perfectly aged cheddar cheese, added a specially crafted garlic and herb seasoning blend and sprinkled it all on top of our fresh, original dough to create the cheddar cheese crust pizza of your dreams,' Papa John's explained. Cheddar Cheesesticks The cheese overload doesn't stop there. Alongside the new crust, the chain has also introduced Cheddar Cheesesticks: imagine pizza dough slathered in garlic sauce, topped with seasoned cheddar, baked until golden and crispy, and served with a pot of tangy pizza sauce. In a word? Irresistible. Shaq-a-Roni Pizza But wait – there's more. In a move that's sure to thrill fans, Papa John's has officially made its famous Shaq-a-Roni pizza a full-time menu staple. Yes, the mega-sized pie created in collaboration with basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal is here to stay. Starting at $15.99, the Shaq-a-Roni is now a permanent fixture – and the brand couldn't be prouder. 'At Papa Johns, we're elevating the classics that have set us apart to deliver even more value to our customers,' said Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Papa Johns introduces new Croissant Pizza
Restaurant chain Papa Johns has unveiled its latest global offering, the Croissant Pizza, which combines the flaky texture of a croissant with the brand's pizza flavours. The product is set to debut in nine markets, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) first to experience the new culinary creation. The Croissant Pizza aims to deliver a unique, layered bite with a braided flaky crust. The pizza can then be customised with various toppings. Papa Johns International senior vice-president and managing director Chris Lyn-Sue stated: "As a brand built on innovation, distinction and quality, we're always looking to global food culture for inspiration – and turning it into exciting new experiences that stand out. We conducted extensive research to understand what consumers wanted from our next global innovation. Croissant Pizza scored highly across all markets. "We explored the rise of croissant mashups in food culture – from the 'cronut' to the 'crookie' – and saw an opportunity to bring that same innovation to pizza. After a year in development, we're proud to unite two beloved icons into one craveable, delicious product that brings something fresh and exciting to the QSR [quick service restaurant] category.' Papa Johns has partnered with KidSuper to launch a limited-edition hot bag, the Papa Johns x KidSuper Hot Bag, inspired by the Croissant Pizza's craftsmanship. KidSuper, known for its concept-inspired designs, crafted the hot bag, which features a woven strap that echoes the braided crust of the pizza. As the Croissant Pizza makes its way to consumers worldwide, the Papa Johns x KidSuper Hot Bag will be showcased in settings such as runways, beaches and exhibitions in select markets. KidSuper designer and founder Colm Dillane stated: 'KidSuper is a challenger brand – built on creativity, risk and staying true to the soul of what we do. 'Papa Johns is the same. This isn't just another pizza launch – they're pushing boundaries with creativity and craftsmanship. Whether you are baking a crust or chalking a cut, the process matters.' The Croissant Pizza is currently available in the UAE and will be offered for a limited time in participating markets, including China, Korea, Chile and Peru. This launch follows Papa Johns' limited-time offering in October 2024, the Shaq-a-Roni pizza, developed in partnership with basketball legend and franchisee Shaquille O'Neal. "Papa Johns introduces new Croissant Pizza" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Papa Johns fan-favorite is now part of permanent menu. Here's what to know
A Papa Johns fan favorite is back — and it's here to stay. The beloved Shaq-A-Roni pizza is now available year-round as a full-time menu item, the Atlanta-based pizza chain announced June 5. The brand teamed up with former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal to launch the extra-large pie as a limited-time item in 2020, and it has made several appearances since then. For $15.99, the 16-inch pizza features more than a half pound of cheese and extra pepperoni, according to Papa Johns website. It's then cut into eight large slices. 'The Shaq-a-Roni isn't just a pizza — it's a slam dunk,' O'Neal, a Papa Johns franchisee, said in a news release. 'I'm pumped that it's now here to stay. It's big, it's delicious, and it brings people together — just like pizza should.' The NBA Hall of Famer owns nine Papa Johns franchises in the Atlanta area and has served on the company's board of directors since 2019, according to O'Neal is also a brand ambassador for the pizza chain. Additional information wasn't immediately available. Find your nearest Papa Johns here.
Miami Herald
07-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Papa Johns makes major menu change to win back customers
Over the past few months, consumers across the country have scaled back their spending on fast food, which has significantly impacted Papa Johns' sales. In Papa Johns' (PZZA) first-quarter earnings report for 2025, it revealed that its U.S. comparable sales declined by 3% year-over-year. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter During an earnings call on May 8, Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor said that the wallet of the consumer remains "challenged" and highlighted that increased competition is also impacting sales. Related: Papa Johns struggles to recover from concerning customer behavior "As we look at consumer confidence, it does remain challenged amid the economic and market volatility," said Penegor. "We're all talking about it. We all see it. We've seen intensification on competitive pressures in the promotional cycles. We've also seen some challenges on the lower-income cohorts." Consumers are specifically pulling away from having their food delivered and are instead opting to pick up their orders in stores to save money. In response to this trend, Papa Johns partnered with Google Cloud in April to "enhance" the ordering and delivery experience for its customers. "We know we can do delivery better," said Penegor. "And leveraging our new partnership with Google, we will improve driver dispatch and routing, increase the accuracy of our delivery time estimates, and provide better driver tracking." Image source: Bloomberg/Getty Images As Papa Johns fights to reverse alarming customer behavior, it has decided to shake up its menu in order to win back customers. The pizza chain decided that Shaq-a-Roni pizza, launched in 2020 for a limited time, will now become a permanent menu item, selling for $15.99 nationwide. The pizza is inspired by basketball player Shaquille O'Neal and became a fan-favorite five years ago due to its extra-large size. "At Papa Johns, we're elevating the classics that have set us apart to deliver even more value to our customers," said Chief Marketing Officer Jenna Bromberg in a press release. Related: Pizza Hut struggles to reverse troubling consumer trend In addition to making Shaq-a-Roni pizza a permanent menu item, Papa Johns recently introduced Cheddar Crust pizza to its menu, which starts at $11.99 and contains a baked blend of cheddar cheese and garlic seasoning on its crust. To pair with the pizza, the company also launched Cheddar Cheesticks, made from dough that is covered in garlic sauce and topped with seasoned cheddar cheese. They sell for $10.50 and are served with Papa Johns' original pizza dipping sauce. Both new menu items are available for a limited time. The menu changes from Papa Johns come after its competitors have also added new menu items to boost low sales. In March, Domino's Pizza added a Parmesan Stuffed Crust pizza to its menu after it reported weak sales during the fourth quarter of 2024. More Food + Dining: Domino's Pizza unveils generous deal amid alarming consumer trendSteak 'n Shake's beef tallow fries aren't as healthy as they appearThe Cheesecake Factory makes bittersweet changes to its menu In April, Pizza Hut also brought back Cheesy Bites Pizza, a fan-favorite menu item, for a limited time and introduced three new exclusive dipping sauces: Chipotle Ranch, Ultimate Ranch, and Pepperoni Ranch. The menu change occurred during a period when Pizza Hut's system sales in the U.S. decreased by 7% year-over-year. Many consumers have recently been avoiding fast-food restaurants due to their inflated prices, which have spiked by roughly 47% over the past decade. Data from Ipsos Consumer Tracker last year revealed that 34% of U.S. consumers have cut back on having dinner at fast-food restaurants. A total of 30% also said they have been avoiding getting dinner from takeout or delivery, while 45% said they are cooking dinner at home more. Related: Domino's Pizza suffers a startling loss as customers switch gears The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
