Papa John’s refranchises restaurants from Colonel’s Limited and opens new ones

Papa John’s (PZZA) International announced that it has refranchised restaurants previously owned and operated by Colonel’s Limited, a joint venture between Papa Johns and Steeplechase Express. Pie Investments, led by Chris Patel, a leading franchisee operator and now one of Papa Johns largest domestic franchise partners, has assumed control of 85 Papa Johns restaurants in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets. Through a joint venture with Papa Johns, the restaurants were previously owned and operated by Colonel’s Limited, led by William Freitas, one of Papa Johns longest-standing franchisee partners, who is retiring. Papa Johns and Pie Investments also announced plans to open 52 additional new restaurants by 2030 to expand Papa Johns footprint across the Greater Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets. The strategic refranchising follows a period of growth for Patel and Pie Investments, who operate Papa Johns restaurants across the Northeast. With this refranchising, Pie Investments now operates more than 150 Papa Johns restaurants, furthering Pie Investments’ goal of owning 250 restaurants by 2030.