Papa Johns Faces Potential Takeover as Turnaround Efforts Continue

Reports have surfaced that Papa Johns may be a takeover target for Irth Capital Management, an investment firm co-founded by Matthew Bradshaw and Sheikh Mohamed “Moe” al Thani, a member of Qatar’s royal family, according to Yahoo! Finance. 

Irth disclosed a 4.99% stake in Papa Johns last year, amounting to 1.6 million shares worth about $70 million, just below the threshold requiring disclosure of acquisition plans. The firm has a history of taking companies private, including Bojangles and Casper. News of the potential buyout sent Papa Johns’ stock soaring, briefly reaching $53.74 before settling at $49.04 by the end of the week.

Papa Johns has been struggling with declining same-store sales, with North America comps dropping in all four quarters of 2024. The brand has been in turnaround mode since Todd Penegor took over as CEO in August. Efforts to improve performance include revamping its loyalty program, increasing local marketing efforts and implementing a six-part strategy focused on product innovation, marketing, international expansion, technology investment, franchisee development and customer experience enhancement. The company is also pursuing refranchising to place stores in the hands of growth-oriented operators.

Despite its challenges, Papa Johns continues to expand, adding a net of 122 stores in Q4, with North America gaining 60 locations and international markets increasing by 62. The brand operates 3,454 North American locations and 2,454 international units, making it the fourth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. behind Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Little Caesars. With potential private equity interest and ongoing strategic changes, Papa Johns is at a critical juncture in its recovery efforts.

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