ATLANTA — Papa John’s International Inc. is planning to open 650 restaurants in India by 2033 through a partnership with PJP Investments Group. The first new location is set to open in 2024 in Bangalore.

Papa John’s will begin by adding locations in South India and then will expand across other regions in the country. India’s market size, growing income and rising aspirations of its middle class attracted Papa John’s to expand franchise locations there.

“We are excited to bring the ‘BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.’ promise of Papa John’s to pizza lovers in India,” Vaidya said. “Building on the success of our partnership with Papa John’s in the Middle East, this expansion of the renowned brand in South Asia will introduce an enormous new customer base to the superior quality pizza that can come only from high-quality ingredients and our fresh, never-frozen original dough.”

Papa John’s business relationship with PJP Investments is its longest tenured international franchise partnership. PJP currently operates more than 100 franchises in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan

“Papa John’s global momentum continues, in partnership with seasoned, successful restaurant operators like PJP Investments,” said Amanda Clark, Papa John’s chief international and development officer. “PJP Investments first partnered with Papa Johns to expand into the UAE in 2005. We are excited that their commitment to flawless execution of Papa John’s high standards is now being brought to India.”

PJP plans to operate nearly 1,000 Papa John’s restaurants by 2033.

In the past few years, other international franchisees like FountainVest Partners, one of Asia’s leading independent private equity firms, have entered into partnerships with Papa John’s. FountainVest plans to open over 1,750 new Papa John’s restaurants in China by 2040.