Papa Johns is closing stores: See a list of doomed locations for 2026 as the pizza chain reduces its footprint

Papa Johns International has closed dozens of its restaurant locations across at least 17 U.S. states in 2026, following an earlier announcement to close up to 300 locations by the end of 2027. Texas, California, Florida, and Arizona have been disproportionately affected by these closures. Some of the shuttered stores were the sole Papa Johns in their respective towns, such as the location in Scottsboro, Alabama. As of the end of March, Papa Johns operated 3,487 locations in North America, the majority of which are franchised. The company's decision to reduce its footprint is attributed to declining North American sales, shifting consumer preferences, and intense competition from other fast-food chains like Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Dave’s Hot Chicken, as well as healthier options such as Sweetgreen and Cava. The broader restaurant industry is also facing challenges from rising operating costs and price-sensitive consumers.