Operations

Papa John's preliminary North American Q3 comp sales soar 23.8%

Photo: File

September 29, 2020

Preliminary estimated comp sales for Papa John's third quarter indicated that the North American systemwide comp sales grew 23.8% for the three months that ended on Sept. 27. International sales were also up, growing 20.6% over the same period last year, according to a news release.

In fact, in the last four weeks alone in North America (Aug. 24 – Sept. 27), comp sales were up 18.4% YoY, while internationally they grew 23.3% YoY.

"Six consecutive months of double-digit comparable sales growth were made possible by the hard work of Papa John's team members and franchisees during the global pandemic," President and CEO Rob Lynch said in the release. "We remain confident that our innovation pipeline, marketing and technology platforms, and strong operations will continue to support strong results during, and after, the pandemic."

Of the Louisville, Kentucky-based company's approximately 2,100 international franchised stores, approximately 90 are temporarily closed, primarily in Latin America and Europe, in accordance with government policies.

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, but the chain said those locations are "not material" to the company's revenues and operating results.