Papa John's

Yes. Papa John's is a franchise in the food & beverage category, which means you can own and operate a Papa John's location under a franchise agreement with the franchisor. The total initial investment to open one ranges from $273K – $989K. The franchisor provides the brand, systems, and ongoing support in exchange for an initial franchise fee and royalties, all disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Total initial investment to open a Papa John's franchise ranges from $273K – $989K according to the latest Franchise Disclosure Document. The actual cost depends on territory, build-out, and local market conditions. Request the full FDD on this page for Item 7's full investment breakdown.

The Papa John's initial franchise fee is $38K – $80K, paid to the franchisor at signing. This is separate from total investment and does not include build-out, equipment, or working capital.

Papa John's operates 2,658 active locations as of the most recent FDD filing. Request the latest FDD for state-by-state distribution and openings/closures from Item 20.

Papa John's was founded in 1991, giving the brand 35 years of operating history. Brand longevity matters in franchising because it correlates with refined operations, established supplier relationships, and a tested franchisee playbook.

Papa John's unit-level profitability depends on location, operating costs, staffing, and management. When a franchisor makes an earnings claim, it appears in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, the only place franchise financial performance is officially disclosed. Request the Papa John's FDD on this page to review any Item 19 financial performance representation.

Submit a request through this page to receive the Papa John's Franchise Disclosure Document. The FDD contains everything you need to evaluate the opportunity: Item 7 investment, Item 19 financial performance, Item 20 unit counts and franchisee turnover, and Item 21 audited financials. There is no cost or obligation to request the FDD.

The current Papa John's FDD can be requested directly through this page. Franchise Disclosure Documents are federally regulated by the FTC and must be provided to prospective franchisees at least 14 days before signing any binding agreement or paying any fee.