Papa John’s International, the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, will return to India in October, almost eight years after it left the market in 2017 due to weak performance. The company plans to open 650 outlets in the next 10 years, starting with its first store in Bengaluru.

The comeback is being led by Pulsar Capital, an Indian investment firm, and UAE-based PJP Investments Group, who are the joint master franchisees. “We will launch the first store in Bengaluru by October,” confirmed Vish Narain, managing partner at Pulsar Capital.

Papa John’s had already announced its plan in April 2023, calling India a “complex market.” The company is re-entering at a tough time, as quick-service restaurants struggle with slow sales growth, rising competition, and cautious consumer spending due to low wage growth.

Competitors are also changing their strategies. Pizza Hut’s franchisee Devyani International has closed weak outlets, while Sapphire Foods India is expanding carefully. Papa John’s will face tough competition from Domino’s Pizza with 2,200+ stores, Pizza Hut with 950+ outlets, and premium players like Pizza Bakery and PizzaExpress.