Delhites to have more of Papa John's pizzas

New Delhi, Nov 15 (UNI) Foodies in Delhi and NCR will have more of Papa John's pizzas as the US-based pizza chain plans to open up 10 more outlets next year.

The company will roll out an outlet at the West Gate Mall, Rajouri Garden in West Delhi by the second week of next month followed by another one at the Cross River Mall in Shahdara by December-end or January next year.

''We are on an expansion mode and aim to get through with at least four outlets by this year-end, three of which already launched till date. We will open another 10 outlets in the next calendar year once we finalise the locations,'' company's master franchise CEO Dan Deva said today while speaking to UNI.

With an investment of Rs 1-1.2 crore per outlet, the company will open at least 3-4 outlets in the first six months of next year and is considering locations in Saket, South Extension, Connaught Place, Gurgaon, Rajouri Garden and Vasundhra, Ghaziabad to name a few.

Facing stiff competition from players like Pizza Hut and Dominos, the company is also contemplating to cut down prices of its flagship products once it reaches the 35 outlet mark, Mr Deva added.

''India is a price-sensitive market...As the volumes grow, the prices come down. Papa John's is looking at a substantial price reduction without comprising on the quality once it expands into a bunch of 35 outlets which will take 2-2.5 years from now. We also plan to cater to the taste buds in Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal by then,'' he said.

Mr Deva was speaking at the launch of Papa John's third outlet at the Shipra Mall, Indirapuram.

The company launched its second outlet in Noida in June this year and also has a small outlet/Quality Control Centre at Gurgaon which has been set up for training the company's staff.

Papa John's, the third largest pizza chain in the US, has a six per cent market share there with about 3,000 restaurants operating in 49 states and 20 international markets.

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