Pizza chain searches for new HQ as it reorganizes functions
Papa John’s will move its headquarters (HQ) to Greater Atlanta by summer of 2021. According to its announcement, the move is part of a larger transformation of the brand for the future. Underway is a strategic reorganization of corporate functions, expected to be completed by next summer. This reorganization will not impact store operations personnel nor the current location of its quality control centers (QCCs).
The Papa John’s Louisville, Ky. corporate offices will remain. IT, supply chain, and the QSR’s legal group will operate out of the original HQ. The functions of menu innovation, marketing, customer experience, HR, diversity, equity and inclusion, communications, and development will move to the new offices in Atlanta. The resurgent pizza chain will complete the selection process for its new headquarters by the end of this year.
“Shortly after setting a new strategic direction for Papa John’s late last year, we began to assess the optimal corporate organization to support our restaurants and our brand’s long-term growth,” said Rob Lynch, president and chief executive of Papa John’s.
He added that the organization has been investing in innovation and efficiencies to drive future growth. The marketing-savvy CEO was installed last year and has brought the chain back to consistently-strong sales performance, as well as a renewed focus on the health of its franchisees.
Papa John’s posted comparable sales growth of 28 percent In North America during its second quarter and has banked on convenience and innovation to improve its positioning in the pizza category. New additions, including Garlic Parmesan Crust, toasted handheld Papadias and Jalapeno Popper Rolls have certainly helped ignite sales.
“These changes to our corporate structure and team mark another milestone in Papa John’s ongoing transformation into a more innovative brand with a culture that is focused on diversity, inclusion and winning,” said Papa John’s Chief People and Diversity Officer Marvin Boakye.
In Atlanta, its largest corporate-owned restaurant market, Lynch expects to draw from a large talent pool to fill positions and an international market from which it can propel its next chapter of growth. In addition, its newest “and most sophisticated” QCC is located in the city, he noted.
Photo credit: Papa John’s (featured preview image)
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