Papa John's new appointment targets property push
14th March 2008
It’s full steam ahead for Papa John’s (UK and Ireland) expansion plans following the appointment of Alan Mason as the company’s new director of property.
Alan, who has over 17 years experience working in property, has previously held senior roles with a number of high-profile companies including: Rileys, Pizza Hut, Luminar Leisure and Allied Domecq.
He will now be going straight into the sharp end of the business with the task of securing the new sites needed for Papa John’s investment plans.
The company, which has just opened its 100th store in Hammersmith, plans to open a further 25 stores across the UK in 2008, with the target of growing the number of stores to 170 by 2010 and 300 by 2016; which has made Alan’s arrival all the more important.
Speaking about his appointment Alan said: “I’m delighted to be here at Papa John’s, especially as it’s a very exciting time for the company going forward. Papa John’s is a strong brand and the expansion plans, whilst challenging, mean there is a wide range of disciplines for me to become involved in.
“Primarily, I will be responsible for the combined areas of acquisition, store development and estate management. This will involve identifying and securing a large number of new sites across the UK and Ireland.
“Ideally, we are after sites that have A5 planning and are around 850 to 1000 square feet. We look for locations such as retail parades neighbourhood centres and high streets, but they must be situated in an area which has at least 25,000 households within an eight minute driving time.
“To help us achieve our store growth target we are offering an introduction fee of £5000 for each new site PJ (GB) Ltd acquires. To get in touch about a site that may be suitable all they have to do is call 01932 568 000 or email enquiries@papajohns.co.uk.”
Managing director Ian Saunders added: “The appointment of Alan shows how serious we are about expanding the company over the coming years. There has been a real buzz around Papa John’s in the UK over the last few months and I think people sat up and took notice when Papa John’s founder John Schnatter came over from the US and gave such a bright prediction for the future.
“For those plans to be successful a number of key objectives need to be met, including the acquisition of over 200 new sites and the recruitment of a number of new multi-unit franchisees. The director of property will play a huge part in this, so Alan’s position is vital.”
Papa John’s is looking for over 20 stores across the UK and Ireland in 2008, the locations being targeted are: Manchester & M62 corridor, Leeds, Birmingham, Oxford, London inside the M25, Cambridge, Chester, Newcastle, Bristol, Cheltenham.
For more information on Papa John’s visit www.papajohns.co.uk
|