Papa John's Pizza - Fresh, Quality Pizza You'll Love

Papa John's Pizza - A Popular Pizza Chain Known for Quality

Papa John's is one of the most popular pizza chains in the United States. Founded in 1984, Papa John's has grown to over 5,000 locations and is famous for its fresh, high-quality ingredients and delicious pizza.

The Origins of Papa John's Pizza

Papa John's was founded by John Schnatter in 1984. He opened the first Papa John's restaurant in Jeffersonville, Indiana, using $16,000 he borrowed from his father. Schnatter started working in the pizza business at Rocky's Sub Pub, where he eventually became a manager. He got the inspiration for Papa John's while working there and seeing the popularity of pizza delivery.

Schnatter's goal was to make a superior pizza with fresher ingredients than the national chains at the time. He used fresh dough and real mozzarella cheese, believing better ingredients made better pizza. This focus on quality quickly gained popularity in the local community.

Papa John's Success and Growth

By 1988, Papa John's had opened six restaurants in the Louisville, Kentucky area. The company then began expanding quickly through franchising. By 1993, there were 500 Papa John's locations. In 1996, Papa John's became the fastest company to reach 1,000 stores when it opened its 1,500th location.

Papa John's continued its rapid growth through the 2000s and 2010s. International expansion also became a focus starting in the 1990s. Papa John's opened its first international location in Mexico City in 1998. Today it operates over 5,000 stores with locations in all 50 U.S. states and 44 countries.

Papa John's Pizza Menu

Papa John's menu focuses on high-quality fresh ingredients and great-tasting pizza. Some of their most popular menu items include:

• Cheese Pizza - Papa John's original and most popular pizza with fresh-sourced vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese.
• Pepperoni Pizza - A cheese pizza topped with quality pepperoni made from pork and beef.
• MeatZZa Pizza - Loaded with pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, and beef.
• The Works Pizza - Topped with pepperoni, sausage, onions, green peppers, and mushrooms.
• Chicken Alfredo Pizza - Grilled chicken, Alfredo sauce, and a garlic parmesan crust.
• Garden Fresh Pizza - Fresh mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and black olives.

In addition to pizza, Papa John's also offers oven-baked sandwiches, chicken poppers and wings, desserts like cinnamon pull-aparts, and drinks. Customer favorites include the classic Papa's Cheesesticks loaded with cheese and served with marinara sauce.

Specialty Pizzas and crusts

Two areas where Papa John's excels are specialty pizzas and innovative crust options. Some customer favorites include:

• Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza - Topped with sweet BBQ sauce, chicken, bacon, onions, and pineapple.
• Philly Cheesesteak Pizza - Loaded with steak, peppers, onions, and mozzarella cheese.
• Spinach Alfredo Pizza - Creamy alfredo sauce, spinach, and garlic parmesan crust.
• The Super Hawaiian Pizza - Ham, bacon, pineapple, jalapeños, and sweet chili sauce.

For crusts, customers love options like:

• Garlic Parmesan Crust - Buttery parmesan sauce and garlic seasonings.
• Cheddar Stuffed Crust - Filled with cheddar cheese.
• Pretzel Crust - Soft pretzel dough with butter and parmesan.
• Fiery Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Crust - Filled with spicy buffalo sauce and chicken.

Ordering Papa John's Pizza

There are a few different options for ordering Papa John's conveniently:

• Phone - Call your local Papa John's restaurant to speak with an employee.
• Online - Order on the Papa John's website for delivery or pickup.
• Mobile App - Download the app for iOS or Android to order with easy account management.
• Third-party delivery - Order through services like DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates, etc.

Orders can be customized with different crusts, sauces, toppings, and add-ons. Papa John's frequently runs special deals listed on their website, like large 2-topping pizzas for $9.99 each.

Papa John's Nutrition Information

Papa John's provides full nutrition facts for all of their menu items online. This transparency allows customers to make informed decisions about their food choices.

Some highlights of Papa John's nutrition information:

• 1 slice of a 14" original crust cheese pizza has 285 calories, 10g fat, and 700mg sodium.
• 1 veggie slice has 90 calories less than a meat lovers slice.
• Garlic parmesan crust adds about 50 calories per slice vs. original crust.
• 1 order of 6 Papa's cheesesticks is 840 calories and 45g of fat.

Overall, standard pizza slices range from about 220-360 calories depending on toppings. Customers can reduce calories by choosing veggie toppings, thinner crusts, and avoiding extras like cheesesticks and dressings.

Why Customers Love Papa John's

There are many reasons why Papa John's has earned its popularity and become one of the top pizza chains in America:

• Consistent, high-quality fresh ingredients - Papa John's proudly uses fresh, never frozen original dough and real mozzarella cheese.
• Delicious flavor profiles - Customers love the signature Papa John's flavor with the perfect balance of tomato sauce, dough, and cheese.
• Specialty pizzas - Unique pizzas like BBQ chicken and Philly cheesesteak offer adventurous toppings.
• Innovative crusts - Garlic parmesan, stuffed, and pretzel crusts provide tasty variety.
• Efficient service - Papa John's is known for fast delivery and order accuracy.
• Good value - Customers feel they get quality pizza at reasonable prices, especially with frequent deals.

Papa John's continues to focus on ingredients, innovation, and improving customer experience. This commitment to excellence is why it remains one of America's favorite pizza places.

FAQs

What are Papa John's hours?

Most Papa John's locations are open daily from 11am-12am, with closing times varying by specific restaurant. Customers can check hours for their local Papa John's on the store locator page.

Does Papa John's have vegan options?

Yes, Papa John's can make any pizza vegan by substituting Follow Your Heart dairy-free cheese for regular cheese and using original dough without egg. The red sauce and many veggie toppings are vegan. Specific vegan crusts and add-ons are also available in select locations.

How long does Papa John's delivery take?

Average Papa John's delivery time is around 30 minutes. Delivery time will vary based on factors like your location, traffic, and total order volume at the restaurant. Papa John's aims to deliver hot, fresh pizza as quickly as possible.

Can I order Papa John's on DoorDash?

Yes, Papa John's partners with DoorDash for delivery in many locations. Customers can open the DoorDash app or website and search for their local Papa John's restaurant to place an order for delivery.

Does Papa John's offer gluten-free crust?

Papa John's currently does not offer a gluten-free pizza crust option. The restaurant suggests that those with gluten sensitivities avoid the original dough and cross-contamination from gluten ingredients is possible.