Papa Johns, the U.S.-based pizza giant, is making a bold move into the Northern Ireland market, unveiling plans to open 20 new stores across the region over the next decade—a development set to deliver a significant boost to local employment and the area’s fast-food landscape. The expansion, announced on December 8, 2025, follows the signing of a milestone franchise agreement with the Rana Group, and comes as Papa Johns seeks to further entrench its presence in the United Kingdom and beyond.
The first step in this ambitious plan has already been taken, with the inaugural Papa Johns restaurant opening its doors last week on Broughshane Street in Ballymena. The launch was met with considerable local fanfare, marking the brand’s official entry into Northern Ireland. According to Belfast Live, a second store is slated to be announced by March 2026, signaling a steady rollout of locations that will eventually span the province.
Each new store is expected to create between 15 and 20 jobs, a figure that, when multiplied across 20 outlets, translates to as many as 400 new positions for local workers by the end of the decade. This, as reported by Northern Ireland World, represents not just a windfall for jobseekers, but also a meaningful investment in the communities where these restaurants will operate.
The man at the helm of this expansion is Rana Abhol, a seasoned veteran with more than 25 years of experience in the pizza industry. Having started his career taking phone orders and rising through the ranks to become regional operations director for a rival brand in Northern Ireland, Abhol joined Papa Johns in 2017. He now operates more than 25 Papa Johns locations across the UK and is known for his passion for creating local opportunities as the business grows. As Newsletter highlights, his commitment to local employment is central to the brand’s Northern Ireland strategy.
Chris Phylactou, Managing Director for the UK & Europe at Papa Johns, has described the agreement as a pivotal moment for the company’s growth in the region. “This new agreement is an exciting milestone for Papa Johns, reinforcing our momentum and long-term vision for sustainably growing in the UK,” Phylactou stated, according to Newsletter. He added, “We are proud to bring our Better Ingredients, Better Pizza ethos to more communities in Northern Ireland and the UK, offering our customers even more opportunities to enjoy the Papa Johns experience. This expansion will create hundreds of local jobs and allow us to play a meaningful role in the communities we serve—not just as a consumer brand, but as a committed partner in local growth and development.”
Currently, Papa Johns operates 450 sites across the UK and more than 6,000 worldwide, making it the world’s third-largest pizza company. The company’s origins are humble—founded in Jeffersonville, Indiana, it began operations from a broom closet before expanding to serve customers in more than 50 countries. The Northern Ireland expansion is part of a broader strategy to deliver high-quality, handcrafted pizzas to more customers while supporting local economies and creating business opportunities throughout the UK.
For the communities of Northern Ireland, the arrival of Papa Johns is more than just the introduction of another fast-food option. It represents a tangible investment in local infrastructure and human capital. Each new store means not only new jobs, but also new training opportunities and career pathways for local residents. As Rana Abhol noted, the brand is “passionate about creating opportunities for local people as the business expands.” This approach dovetails with Papa Johns’ stated mission of being a partner in local growth and development, rather than simply a consumer brand parachuting into new markets.
The franchise agreement with Rana Group reflects a trend among international fast-food chains to partner with experienced local operators when entering new regions. This strategy helps ensure that the brand’s ethos and standards are maintained, while also leveraging local knowledge to maximize success. Abhol’s extensive background in the pizza business, especially his familiarity with the Northern Ireland market, positions him as an ideal partner for Papa Johns’ ambitious plans.
It’s worth noting that the expansion comes at a time when the fast-food industry faces both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, consumer demand for convenient, high-quality food remains strong, especially in urban and suburban areas. On the other, competition is fierce, with established rivals and new entrants constantly vying for market share. Papa Johns’ focus on “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” and ongoing investment in menu innovation and digital platforms are designed to set it apart in an increasingly crowded field.
The impact of the expansion is already being felt in Ballymena, where the first store’s opening was attended by local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Jackson Minford. The event was seen as a positive signal for the town’s economic prospects and a harbinger of more development to come. According to Northern Ireland World, the store’s launch is just the beginning, with further announcements expected in the coming months.
Papa Johns’ broader UK strategy includes continued investment in both new store openings and innovation across its menu and digital platforms. The company’s goal is to reach more customers with its signature handcrafted pizzas while supporting local employment and business opportunities. As the expansion unfolds, Papa Johns will be looking to cement its reputation not just as a purveyor of pizza, but as a valued contributor to the communities it serves.
For now, residents of Ballymena and, soon, other towns across Northern Ireland can look forward to a new dining option, more job opportunities, and the possibility of further economic growth. As the decade progresses, the full impact of Papa Johns’ investment will become clearer, but the early signs point to a win-win for both the company and the communities it is entering.
With a seasoned franchisee, a clear strategy, and a commitment to quality and community, Papa Johns’ Northern Ireland expansion is poised to reshape the local pizza market while delivering real benefits to workers and residents alike.
