LOUISVILLE, KY – November 9, 2021 – Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced its expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa with its newest franchise partner Kitchen Express LTD, a subsidiary of AAH Limited, the majority shareholder of Hass Petroleum Group which has a significant retail footprint in Africa.
Kitchen Express LTD plans to open 60 restaurants in Kenya and Uganda, with four of these restaurants planned to open in 2022, beginning in Nairobi. The partnership will empower Hass Petroleum to leverage its significant retail footprint as it introduces new customers to the Papa John’s brand.
“We are excited to partner with Papa John’s as it continues its expansion around the globe,” said Abdinasir Ali Hassan, chairman of Kitchen Express LTD and Hass Petroleum Group, “Papa John’s is a company whose vision and values are closely aligned to our own, and this partnership brings together two brands built on a legacy of quality and service.”
Kitchen Express LTD, which now holds master franchise rights for the Papa John’s brand in Kenya and Uganda, is an associate of Hass Petroleum Group, one of the leading indigenous oil marketing companies in Africa which currently operates more than 150 petrol stations across 10 countries in Africa
“Establishing ourselves in Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time presents a great opportunity for Papa John’s to deliver on our BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® promise and continue our global momentum as a brand,” said Amanda Clark, Papa John’s Chief Development Officer. “We are very excited to work with Abdinasir and his team – his knowledge of the business landscape will be instrumental in making Papa John’s the leading pizza brand in both Kenya and Uganda.”
In the first three quarters of 2021, Papa John’s has consistently reported record net unit growth as it signs development deals with new franchise owners like Kitchen Express Limited and with proven, current Papa John’s franchisees. In recent years, Papa John’s has entered 13 new countries, including Spain, Portugal, Germany, Cambodia, Pakistan, France, Tunisia, Iraq, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Poland.
In August, the company announced that Drake Food Service International, which operates more than 280 locations across Latin America, Spain and Portugal, will open over 220 new restaurants across Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the UK, in addition to acquiring over 60 locations in the UK.
About Papa John’s
Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa John’s believes that using high quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa John’s tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa John’s is headquartered in Louisville, Ky. and is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 5,500 restaurants in 49 countries and territories as of June 28, 2021. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit www.PapaJohns.com or download the Papa John’s mobile app for iOS or Android.
Kitchen Express Limited
Kitchen Express LTD, is a subsidiary of AAH Limited, the majority shareholder of Hass Petroleum Group which has a significant retail footprint in Africa. AAH Group is involved in various businesses across Africa specializing in Oil Marketing, Real Estate, Paint Manufacturing ,Telecommunications and Hospitality.
Media Contacts
Harrison Sheffield
Sr. Communications Manager
Papa John’s International
Harrison_Sheffield@papajohns.com
470-751-4483
Peninnah Gathoni,
Brand and Communications Manager
Hass Petroleum LTD
peninnah.gathoni@hasspetroleum.com
0733121862 / 0723580578