Papa John’s Returns to India with Vegetarian Menu, Launches First Four Stores in Bengaluru

Papa John’s re-enters India after 2017 exit, launching four Bengaluru outlets with a mostly vegetarian menu. Plans 650 stores nationwide, leveraging GST cuts and growing consumer demand.

Papa John’s, the US-based pizza chain and the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, has officially re-entered the Indian market after its exit in 2017 due to underperformance. The company marked its comeback by launching four dine-in restaurants in Bengaluru on October 10, 2025, targeting India’s large vegetarian consumer base with its first “mostly vegetarian” menu. The outlets are strategically located in Indiranagar, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City, and Hennur, each spanning 1,600–2,000 sq. ft., designed to cater to dine-in, delivery, and takeaway customers.

India, home to the highest number of vegetarians globally, is central to Papa John’s renewed focus. The company plans to offer more vegetarian pizzas than non-vegetarian for the first time in its history, tailoring the menu to local preferences. Prices for pizzas range from ₹149 to ₹799, positioning the chain above competitors such as Domino’s, whose entry-level margherita pizza starts at ₹109. Papa John’s plans to open smaller, 1,200 sq. ft. outlets focused on delivery and takeaway, aiming for rapid expansion in Bengaluru before entering other major cities.

The company has ambitious growth plans for India, targeting 650 outlets nationwide within 10 years. According to Tapan Vaidya, Group CEO at UAE-based PJP Investments Group, which, along with Pulsar Capital, serves as Papa John’s joint master franchisee in India, the chain will first increase Bengaluru outlets to 30 over the next two years, before expanding to Chennai, Hyderabad, and eventually northern India. Hyderabad is slated to receive its first Papa John’s store in 2027. Vaidya also noted that India is expected to become PJP’s largest market within six years, surpassing its combined Middle East operations.

Papa John’s relaunch coincides with a favorable regulatory environment. From September 22, 2025, the GST on pizza bread in India was reduced from 5% to 0%, eliminating tax on the base or bread, though toppings remain taxed at 18%. Dining in restaurants attracts 5% GST on the total bill, while takeaway and delivery are charged 18%. These tax cuts, combined with growing discretionary spending, are expected to boost demand in India’s fast-food sector.

With over 6,000 outlets worldwide, Papa John’s is investing heavily in technology, customer research, and local adaptation strategies to ensure long-term growth in India. International CFO Ravi Thanawala emphasized that India, along with China and the UAE, will receive “the greatest amount of management focus,” reflecting the company’s strategic prioritization of high-growth markets.

Papa John’s India aims to leverage its global expertise while adapting to local tastes, offering a menu that resonates with Indian consumers’ preference for vegetarian options. Its return signals renewed competition in the Indian pizza market and a strategic bet on India’s growing foodservice and delivery sector, supported by favorable tax reforms and rising consumer spending.

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