Industry expert comes to Papa
14th March 2008

Takeaway and delivery expert Papa John’s has underlined its ambition to become a major player in the eyes of the UK consumer by bringing a top industry marketer to the organisation.

Simon Wallis will join the company in February as Director of Marketing for Papa John’s in the UK and Ireland region, following highly successful spells with YUM! brands KFC and, most recently, Pizza Hut.

The news comes as the company, which is the third largest pizza business in the world, looks forward to opening its 100th UK store, with dozens more in the pipeline and earmarked for opening in 2008.

Managing director Ian Saunders believes Papa John’s is now in its strongest ever UK position, and is delighted to have found the man to communicate that potential to both consumers, and potential franchise partners.

He said: “It is a fantastic coup to have attracted Simon. This appointment underlines our ambitious plans to expand in the UK and replicate the huge success that Papa John’s enjoys in the US.

“Our business currently offers a great development opportunity for people to get on board and develop entire geographic areas of stores as a franchise partner, and we are seeing great interest in.

“That is highlighted by our recent agreement with Geoff Parsons, a former leading Burger King franchisee, who has already signed up to launch 10 stores in the South of England.

“Arrivals like this are going to see our store numbers grow very quickly, and with them the need for us to raise our national profile and maximise our marketing spend – that is why Simon’s role is absolutely key to our success.”

Simon joins Papa John’s from Pizza Hut’s UK business where for the last four years he held two senior positions, as director of strategy and innovation where most notably he launched their new PHQ delivery concept.

He was also responsible for the development of marketing for their delivery, express and dine-in concepts in an earlier role as director of retail marketing, a spell which saw him launch on-line ordering in delivery and tie-up a high profile deal with the Simpson’s.

Now Ian believes that this experience can be put to valuable use as Papa John’s enters its fastest ever period of growth.

He said: “We have some great points of difference in terms of our product, which is consistently award winning, and also our restaurant support centre which offers comprehensive support for franchise partners across all functions.

“All companies have catchlines but our ‘Better Ingredients. Better Pizza’ was the premise that Papa John’s was founded on when John Schnatter made his very first pizza in the now famous broom cupboard at his father’s tavern.

“That dedication to ensuring that customers expect more from Papa John’s is instilled in every team member, and was a key factor in us being named as the UK’s top delivery operator in two of the last three years.”

“Simon’s arrival will now help us clearly communicate this to pizza consumers and potential investors alike in what is the most exciting period since Papa John’s arrived in the UK.

“His expertise in strategy and innovation will prove invaluable, and his expertise will be a fantastic addition to the management team during a period when we are making such giant strides.”