Popular US pizza chain quietly closing stores in several states amid rival pressure (opens original article in a new tab)

Papa Johns is closing 44 stores in 17 states this year as part of a plan to shut 300 underperforming locations by 2027 due to competition and declining sales.

• Papa Johns closed 44 stores in 17 states this year as part of a plan to shut 300 underperforming locations by 2027
• Competition from chicken-centric fast food chains contributed to declining sales and store closures
• North American sales dropped 2% in 2025 and 6.4% in Q1 2026
• Papa Johns opened 8 new restaurants in North America during the first quarter
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