Papa John’s scouting locations for new HQ in Atlanta

Papa John’s International plans to open a global headquarters in its largest corporate-owned restaurant market: the metro Atlanta area.

The pizza chain, which recently signed its largest store development agreement in 20 years, said that the functions located in the new headquarters will include menu innovation, marketing, customer experience, HR; diversity, equity and inclusion, communications, and development. The company’s IT, supply chain, and legal teams will remain in the Louisville, Kentucky, headquarters. 

Papa John’s said it is currently in discussions with a number of potential office locations throughout the metro Atlanta area and expects to complete the selection process by the end of 2020. The new headquarters, expected to open by summer 2021, is part of Papa John’s broader reorganization of corporate functions. 

“Shortly after setting a new strategic direction for Papa John’s late last year, we began to assess the optimal corporate organization to support our restaurants and our brand’s long-term growth,” said Rob Lynch, president & CEO. “With strong momentum and our potential expanding every day, we are investing in capabilities for future innovation and global growth, improving efficiencies, and better aligning our organization around the strategies that are driving our near- and long-term success.”

Lynch added: “Atlanta is also our largest corporate-owned restaurant market and the location of our newest and most sophisticated QCC. The Louisville headquarters – Papa John’s home for 36 years – remains essential to the company’s success.”

Papa John’s also maintains a headquarters office outside of London, where its international operations are managed.

Papa John’s chief people and diversity officer Marvin Boakye added, “These changes to our corporate structure and team mark another milestone in Papa John’s ongoing transformation into a more innovative brand with a culture that is focused on diversity, inclusion and winning.”