Pizza chain Papa John’s has kicked off 2009 with an 8.5% rise in like-for-like sales and expects to create up to 1,200 new jobs this year.Papa John’s said it expected to open as many as 40 new stores in the UK this year – twice as many as last year.
The chain opened 10 outlets in the 13 weeks to the end of March, taking its current tally to 128.
UK managing director Ian Saunders said the figures placed it well to meet Papa John’s “ambitious” growth plans for the year.
“We have had an exceptional start to the year which has improved further at the beginning of April,” he said.
“It appears that our tremendous pizza quality and very strong value position is helping us to take advantage of a change in eating habits during these challenging times.”
“We expect to be able to continue this momentum and our five-year goal is to have at least 300 stores open in the UK and Ireland by the end of 2013.”
Papa John’s will join Domino’s who are opening 50 new stores and KFC who are creating 9,000 jobs. Fast food is the business to be in right now.
Hat Tip Sky