Wed 22nd Oct 2014 - Papa John’s UK reports profit rise and extra 34 sites Papa John’s UK reports profit rise and extra 34 sites: Papa John’s has reported that its UK business grew by 34 stores to hit 246 sites in 2013. A further 11 sites had been added by the end of July this year. Its turnover grew by 15.2% to £32,724,000 and pre-tax profit was £523,000 compared to £102,000 the year before. The turnover growth in 2013 followed turnover growth of 23.9% in 2012 and 21.4% in 2011. The company stated: “During 2013 like-for-like retail sales from continuing operations in the franchised Papa John’s store network grew significantly. The pizza market does, however, remain intensely competitive with significant promotional discounting continuing to take place in 2013 as in prior years.” Loans to its franchisees increased to £1,787,000, a £630,000 increase on the year before as the network grew. The company reported that Friday and Saturday nights account for 45% of its business. The UK saw its contribution to turnover increase from £27,266,000 to £31,789,000 in the year, with its much smaller Irish business seeing a decline in turnover to £935,000 from £1,149,000 the year before. The company added: “(Papa John’s) continues to invest heavily in marketing activities to build further on brand recognition and investing in becoming the “official pizza partner of the Football League” leading to increased brand recognition but also leading to an increase in the number of enquiries from potential franchisees looking to open sites to trade as Papa John’s. The directors remain confident that the Papa John’s brand has made strides to emulate the brand’s success in the US where the commitment to superior product quality has seen Papa John’s become the third largest pizza company in the world. Papa John’s is the third largest pizza delivery operator in the UK by a clear margin.”