BUSINESS STRATEGY

US pizza chain Papa John’s makes first foray into Central Africa

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Brand debuts in the DRC with an outlet in Kinshasa, complementing its existing African presence in Kenya, Egypt and Morocco.

Papa John’s, the US-based pizza chain which claims to be the third-largest in the world, has launched its first outlet in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is located on Avenue De La Gombe in the capital city of Kinshasa and is the first Papa John’s outlet in the Central Africa region.

Globally, the chain has more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. However, it has a relatively small presence in Africa and currently only has a footprint in Egypt, Morocco and Kenya.

According to Trendtype, the emerging markets consultancy, Papa John’s has partnered in the DRC with franchisee Cen 21, which is also the franchise partner for frozen yoghurt brand Pinkberry, as well as French bakery and sandwich chain Le Pain Quotidien.

Action at the Papa John’s opening in Kinshasa. Photo: Papa John’s

Papa John’s made its first foray into sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, when it opened an outlet in Nairobi and said it would launch 13 outlets in Kenya by the end of 2024. Its website shows six Kenyan outlets currently.

Uganda has also been on the brand’s African agenda

At the time it moved into Kenya, the brand intimated that it would use its Kenyan presence as a springboard into other SSA markets, including Uganda.

 “The fast-food sub-category in Kenya has seen many deals between food chains and fuel marketers, who are increasingly seeking to attract small consumer-focused businesses to their properties, a model that is meant to bring them rental income besides boosting fuel sales,” the news website Food Business Africa reported at the time.

“By setting up in Kenya, Papa John’s, which has seen rapid growth in international markets in recent years, will be taking on rival international brands that have already opened in Kenya – like Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Burger King.”

Papa John’s was established in 1984. By global store count, it is outranked only by Domino’s and Pizza Hut.

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