Papa John's International, Inc. (known as Papa Johns) and PJP Investments Group LLC (PJP), the exclusive franchisee for Papa Johns Pizza in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq, announced the signing of a comprehensive ten-year extension to their Development Agreement.
This extension solidifies the exclusive partnership in the Middle East region until the end of 2036. Under this expanded agreement, partners plan to increase the number of Papa Johns restaurants to over 400 across the four markets by the end of 2036, and officially include Iraq as a new market for the brand.
The updated development agreement grants PJP exclusive rights until the end of 2036, adding a decade of development in the region. The plan is to grow Papa Johns' presence in the region from the current 167 restaurants to over 400 by 2036 in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq. Furthermore, PJP operates Papa Johns restaurants in India through a joint venture, where 650 restaurants are planned to open by 2034.
Iraq becomes the fifth country in PJP's Papa Johns portfolio, marking Papa Johns' official entry into this market. Iraq has a population of about 40 million people and a growing consumer class. The first restaurants in Iraq are slated for spring 2027, with a goal to reach a total of 25 restaurants nationwide by 2035.
Papa Johns is one of the largest global pizza chains, with approximately 6,000 restaurants in about 50 countries and territories, promoting the promise of 'Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.' and a commitment to quality throughout the system. The Middle East region is viewed as a strategic element of Papa Johns' international growth strategy, and today's extension announcement represents one of the largest international development commitments in the company's history.
Todd Penegor, President and CEO of Papa Johns, noted that the company holds a unique position in the international pizza category due to its franchise model based on strong local operators. He emphasized that PJP is a vital partner in expanding the brand in the Middle East, and the ten-year extension reflects a shared commitment to long-term growth in the region. The expansion of the partnership, including Iraq alongside the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and India, demonstrates confidence in the Middle East as a strategic market for Papa Johns.
PJP has served as the exclusive Papa Johns franchisee in the region for over two decades. Following initial investments in 2017, Levant Capital fully acquired PJP in 2019 and has since increased its assets nearly fourfold, expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, India, and now Iraq. PJP management has developed proprietary digital assets for the region, including its own mobile application, e-commerce platform, and loyalty program, and has created product innovations such as Shawarma and Croissant pizzas, which were subsequently adopted by other Papa Johns markets worldwide. PJP has been recognized twice by Papa Johns as Global Franchisee of the Year, twice as Developer of the Year, received the Franchise Champion award, and consistently ranks among the top franchisees in the global Papa Johns network based on guest satisfaction scores.
Dr. Tapan Vaidya, CEO of PJP, stated that more than twenty years of collaboration with Papa Johns has forged one of the most successful international franchising operations in the pizza category. He added that this extension is not merely a contractual obligation but a shared vision of how the regional operator and the global brand will grow together over the next decade, especially in light of operational and consumer changes transforming the industry.
