An American chain specializing in pizza has shuttered numerous eateries across the United States shortly after announcing the closure of hundreds of locations earlier this year.
Papa Johns International, known for its pizza delivery and takeout services, has shut down establishments in 17 states in the US in 2025. The company had a total of 3,487 North American locations by the end of March, most of which were operated by franchisees.
In a statement made in February, the company disclosed plans to shut down up to 300 locations by the end of 2027, with the majority of closures expected to occur this year.
Facing a decline in sales, Papa Johns has attributed its challenges to shifting consumer preferences away from pizza, escalating operational expenses, and a more cost-conscious customer base.
Similarly, Pizza Hut, a key competitor, has also closed several outlets, prompting its parent company, Yum Brands, to consider selling the chain.
Reports indicate that Papa Johns experienced a 2% drop in same-store sales in North America during 2025, with an additional 6.4% decrease in the first quarter of this year, as reported by Fast Company.
The stock value of Papa Johns International has fallen approximately 21% year-to-date, in stark contrast to the broader S&P 500 index, which has seen an increase of nearly 8% over the same period.
Over the past five years, the pizza chain’s stock price has plummeted by nearly 70%.
Fast Company has reported the closure of over 40 Papa Johns locations thus far this year. States in the US that have witnessed the closure of Papa John’s outlets include:
Papa Johns has not disclosed the specific locations targeted for closure as part of its restructuring initiative, nor has it provided details on the potential job losses resulting from these closures.