Scrummy treat as Papa John's unveil 100th store!
14th March 2008


Papa John’s Pizza will be tackling yet more taste-buds on Monday (14) when it unveils its 100th store in the UK – with a safe pair of safe hands on show to deliver the goods!

The company will open its centenary outlet to signal the beginning of its radical expansion plans in Britain, and rugby league star Daniel Heckenberg will drop in from nearby Harlequins Rugby Football Club to provide the scrummy pizzas to customers.

UK managing director Ian Saunders said he could not think of a better place to open the company’s 100th store and promised to donate all sales from the day to the company’s chosen charity Barnardo’s.

He said: “This is our 100th store and we are very proud to have reached our century landmark in such a cosmopolitan area and we will welcome Daniel’s handling skills when it comes to selling customers our pizzas!

“And we are so pleased to be donating all sales from the day to Barnardo’s. We have been big supporters for some time and our main objective was always to raise as much money for the charity as possible.

“There has been a real buzz around Papa John’s in the UK over the last few months and this opening is a vital piece in our jigsaw as we look to expand in the UK.

“Daniel makes his presence felt on the rugby pitch, so it is fitting that he will be with us as we look to do likewise in the fast food market.”

Barnardo’s corporate partnership manager Tricia Allin said: “We have a great relationship with Papa John’s and we are so grateful for their generosity through the Sale store opening.

“Not only will we be receiving a generous donation, but we get to taste some of the highest quality pizza around, so we are doubly delighted!”

Papa John’s was established in the USA in 1984 and currently operates more than 3,000 restaurants in 29 markets around the world.

The company will now showcase its heaviest ever investment programme at the British Franchise Exhibition, when bosses will announce the opening of 14 more stores in England.

Ian added: “Papa John’s is the ideal partner for someone looking to invest in a franchise business that still retains the potential to make great strides in terms of growth and brand awareness, as many of the businesses can now only offer single store agreements in trading areas that have already reached their pinnacle.”