How to Start a Pizza Franchise

Pretty much every pizza you enjoy from Papa John’s is the wonderful creation of a franchise. The franchise is a great structure that allows a business to be owned and operated by individuals (franchisees) and branded/overseen by a bigger company with a wider reach. For franchisees, it provides an opportunity to have a business supported by the strong branding and direction of a larger company, one that has already created and developed a market-leading idea. If you want to own your own pizza business, but you’re not quite sure you want to do it alone, a pizza franchise is a great place to start. So, how do you do it?

Step 1: Submit a franchise enquiry form to Papa John’s

You have to begin somewhere and making that initial contact is the only place to start.

Step 2: Receipt of information pack and application form

Once you’ve made that first contact you’ll get all the information you need about what it really takes to start a pizza franchise – and how to make it successful. At this stage you might want to do your own research. Work out the numbers involved and, in particular, whether you’ve got the cash that you need to get started. If you don’t have enough up front finance yet then look into some alternative financing options. Banks see franchises as a safer option than many other businesses and can be more open to lending, for example.

Step 3: Return all required documents

It’s important to get the paperwork right at this stage so that you have a good understanding of what’s involved – and can show that you do.

Step 4: Initial business development meeting

With a business like Papa John’s we don’t sign up franchisees without having the chance to chat first. This could be a face-to-face meeting(s) or calls. It’s all about sitting down together and working out whether this is the right opportunity for you – and how to make sure it works out.

Step 5: Production of business plan

Business plans can be super intimidating if you haven’t done one before but they’re actually a way of creating for yourself a framework for success. Business plans include essential elements like financial projections, as well as the costs and goals of what you’re planning to do.

Step 6: Operational approval by Franchise Business Manager

There are several steps of approval to go through now  – and this is as much for your benefit as ours. Once you reach the end of the process you’ll know you’re well and truly perfect to be the owner of a pizza franchise.

Step 7: Board approval

Final approval comes from the Papa John’s board – that means you’ve got support from the heart of the business.

Step 8: Approval letter / trade zone agreement

After you’ve been approved, you’ll get documentary evidence and an agreement to sign.

Step 9: Training completed

Before you can open the doors to your new Papa John’s store there’s training to be completed on all aspects of the business – when you’ve finished it you’ll know exactly what to do with our tasty pizza brand. The franchise fee is normally paid before the training so that once you’re fully trained you’re ready to go.

Step 10: Store opening

The big day has come – and now the hard work really begins.

Want to learn more? Then head over to our franchising page or check out some of location opportunities.