Last Updated on October 5, 2022 by Lauren Beck
Papa John’s founder, John Schnatter, started the pizza franchise in a broom closet in his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. His pizzas were so popular that he eventually was able to open his own restaurant. Today, there are over 4,000 Papa John’s restaurants in over 40 countries. So the next time you order a Papa John’s pizza, remember that it all started in a very small space!
History of Papa John’s
Papa John’s was founded in 1984 by John Schnatter. He started the pizza franchise in a broom closet in his father’s tavern, Mick’s Lounge, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He sold his car to buy $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and started making pizzas in the tavern.
Schnatter soon realized that he was making more money from selling pizzas than his father was from selling beer, so he decided to open his own restaurant. He borrowed $5,000 from his mother and opened the first Papa John’s Pizza in 1985.
By 1986, Papa John’s had three restaurants in the Louisville, Kentucky area. In 1987, Schnatter sold his Camaro to buy a used pizza dough mixer, which allowed him to make more pizzas more quickly. That same year, Papa John’s opened its first franchise store in Elkhart, Indiana.
Papa John’s continued to grow throughout the 1990s. In 1992, the company went public, and by 1997, there were 500 Papa John’s restaurants in operation. Today, there are over 4,000 Papa John’s restaurants in over 40 countries.
Papa John’s commitment to customer service is evident in its “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” slogan. The company strives to provide its customers with the best possible experience, whether they are ordering online, in-store, or through the Papa John’s app. Papa John’s offers a satisfaction guarantee, and if a customer is not satisfied with their order, they will receive a replacement pizza or a refund.
What came first Papa Johns or Dominos?
Domino’s was founded in 1960, while Papa John’s was founded in 1984. Therefore, Domino’s came first.
Where did Domino’s pizza start?
Dominos started in Ypsilanti, Michigan [1]. In 1960, Tom and James Monaghan bought a pizza restaurant called DomiNick’s. They renamed it Domino’s Pizza, Inc. in 1965. The first franchise store opened in 1967.
The company grew rapidly, and by 1978, there were 1,000 Domino’s stores in operation. Today, there are over 14,000 Domino’s stores in over 85 countries.
Where did Pizza Hut originate?
Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by two brothers, Dan and Frank Carney, in Wichita, Kansas. The first Pizza Hut restaurant was a small brick-and-mortar building that the brothers rented for $600 per month. The restaurant only had room for seven tables and a small kitchen.
In 1965, the first Pizza Hut franchise opened in Topeka, Kansas. The franchise was so successful that by 1967 there were 100 Pizza Hut restaurants across the United States. Today, there are over 18,000 Pizza Hut restaurants in over 100 countries.
Does Peyton Manning Own Papa Johns?
No, Peyton Manning does not own Papa Johns. However, he is a major shareholder and spokesperson for the company. As of 2018, Manning owned approximately 21 Papa John’s franchises. Peyton Manning is not the only celebrity to own a stake in Papa John’s. Other notable investors include Shaquille O’Neal, who owns nine franchises, and Jay-Z, who owns two.
What is the oldest pizza chain?
The oldest pizza chain in the United States is Pizza Hut. The company was founded in 1958 by two brothers, Dan and Frank Carney, who opened the first Pizza Hut restaurant in Wichita, Kansas. Today, Pizza Hut is part of Yum! Brands, Inc., the world’s largest restaurant company. Pizza Hut has over 18,000 restaurants worldwide.
What was the first pizza company?
The first pizza company was Focaccia Romana, founded in Rome, Italy in 1889. The company is still in operation today and is one of the oldest pizzerias in Rome.
Focaccia Romana is widely considered to be the inventor of the modern pizza. The company’s founder, Raffaele Esposito, is credited with creating the first pizza with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. This combination of ingredients is now known as the Margherita pizza.
Conclusion:
Pizza has a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. The first pizza company was founded in 1889 in Rome, Italy, and the oldest pizza chain in the United States is Pizza Hut, which was founded in 1958. Today, there are thousands of pizza companies around the world, serving up this delicious dish to millions of people every day.
Reference:
- https://biz.dominos.com/about-us/history/
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