Operations

Papa John's May North American comp sales soar 33.5%

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May 27, 2020

Despite all the challenges of the current restaurant business environment, Louisville, Kentucky-based pizza brand, Papa John's has not only fared well over the last year, but in May alone, the brand reports that its comp sales are up 33.5% in North America and 7% globally, according to a news release. 

The company said it's providing regular monthly updates through June due to the overall uncertainty brought on by the shifting business sands of a pandemic-affected restaurant landscape. Preliminary, estimated comp sales information for two periods that each are situated squarely in the thick of the pandemic restaurant closures show the brand has fared well with overall double-digit percentage growth in comp sales over last year at the same time. 

For instance, from March 30 to April 26 this year, systemwide North American comp sales grew 26.9% over the year-ago period, while comp sales grew 33.5% for the period of April 27 to May 24 in North America over year-ago figures, according to the company. 

Internationally, the growth was much lower, with systemwide international comp sales up 1.4% over the year-ago period. For the period of April 27 to May 24, international comp sales grew 7% over last year's numbers for the same period. 

"In May, for the second straight month, Papa John's team members and franchisees delivered the best sales period in the company's history. …" President and CEO Rob Lynch said in the release. "We entered the pandemic with strong growth and momentum, and are fortunate that our delivery and carry-out model has enabled us to meet an essential need for high quality food, safely delivered to consumers' homes. … 

"As states and communities slowly reopen, we continue to show strong performance. The success of 'No Contact Delivery' and new products like Papadias — both examples of a new culture of innovation at Papa John's — continue to drive results."

Concerning remaining store closures across the chain, the brand said that 320 of its 2,100 international franchised stores are temporarily closed, principally in the Middle East (115 stores), Latin America (105 stores) and Europe (90 stores), in accordance with government policies. Some international markets are open predominantly for delivery only, such as in the United Kingdom. 

In North America, almost all traditional restaurants remain open and fully operational. A number of non-traditional restaurants located in universities and stadiums are temporarily closed, though the company said such locations "are not material to the company's revenues and operating results."