US pizza chain Papa John’s International plans to return to India by October, said a master franchisee executive, aiming to open 650 stores over the next decade in a market where fast-food chains have been struggling to sustain sales growth.
The world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, which exited India in 2017 citing underperformance, follows US rival Little Caesars, which opened in India earlier this year with a target of 100 stores by the decade-end.
Papa John’s will open its first store in the southern city of Bengaluru, Vish Narain, Managing Partner at Pulsar Capital, told Reuters. The Indian investment house and UAE-based PJP Investments Group are Papa John’s joint master franchisees in India. The pizza chain had revealed plans in April 2023 to re-enter the “complex market”.
Its return comes as fast-food chains grapple with weakening sales in the country, as cash-strapped urban consumers – the key customer base – cut back due to slow wage growth and as rising competition bites.
