Papa Johns Announces Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Q3 revenue $454.8M, down 10.5% y/y; North America comps down 8.3%; adjusted EPS $0.16 vs $0.32; FY26 outlook updated.
What this release says
Papa Johns reported third quarter 2026 results with global system-wide restaurant sales of $1.15 billion, down 5.6% from a year earlier, and North America comparable sales down 8.3%. Net income fell to $3 million and adjusted EBITDA to $38 million from $48 million, while the company updated its fiscal 2026 outlook and introduced a new Unbox Better strategy. For shareholders, the release shows continued pressure in a competitive market, with the new marketing plan and franchisee investment still ahead.
Key figures
- Global system-wide restaurant sales
- $1.15 billion
- North America comparable sales
- down 8.3%
- Net income
- $3 million
- Adjusted EBITDA
- $38 million
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share
- $0.16
- Restaurants opened system-wide
- 47
Positive for shareholders
- Opened 47 new restaurants system-wide, including 36 in International markets.
- International comparable sales fell a smaller 1.8%.
- Management says the new marketing framework and product improvements are designed to restore competitiveness.
Negative for shareholders
- North America comparable sales fell 8.3%, with Company-owned restaurants down 7.5%.
- Adjusted EBITDA dropped to $38 million from $48 million a year earlier.
- Adjusted diluted earnings per share fell to $0.16 from $0.32.
- Revenue declined 10.5%, partly due to restaurants refranchised after the third quarter of 2025.
Written by Quantisnow AI from this release. Not financial advice.
Key terms
- Comparable sales:
- Sales growth at restaurants open for at least a set period, which strips out the effect of new openings.
- Adjusted EBITDA:
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain other items, as defined by the company, and not a standard accounting measure.
- Refranchising:
- Selling company-owned restaurants to franchisees who then operate them.
- Commissary:
- A facility that prepares and distributes food and supplies to restaurants.
FAQ
How did Papa Johns perform in the third quarter of 2026?
Global system-wide restaurant sales were $1.15 billion, down 5.6%, and net income was $3 million compared with $4 million a year earlier.
What is Papa Johns' Unbox Better plan?
The company describes Unbox Better as a plan to strengthen its brand and franchise system, supported by a new marketing framework with increased local marketing investment from franchisees.
Why did Papa Johns' revenue decline?
The release attributes the $53.3 million revenue decline mainly to 113 restaurants refranchised after the third quarter of 2025 and to 7.5% lower comparable sales at Domestic Company-owned restaurants.
Historical context for PZZA
Across the 24 sessions after earlier PZZA headlines, the stock closed higher 5 times and lower 19 times, with a median move of 1.6% in either direction. This shows timing only: many things move a stock in a session, and these figures do not show that any headline caused a move.
| Session | Earlier headline | PZZA | SPY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2026 | Better Just Got Bigger: Papa Johns Canada Introduces New 16-Inch XL Pizza | +2.4% | -0.5% |
| Oct 30, 2026 | PZZA UPCOMING DEADLINE: Levi & Korsinsky Alerts Papa John's International, Inc. Stockholders of Securities Class Action - Contact the Firm | -1.8% | -1.8% |
| Oct 20, 2026 | INVESTOR ACTION NOTICE: Moore Law PLLC Encourages Investors in Papa John's International, Inc. to Contact Law Firm | -1.3% | +0.3% |
| Oct 19, 2026 | Papa Johns Summons a Halloween Favourite: The Jack-o’-Lantern Pizza Returns | -2.2% | +0.4% |
| Oct 16, 2026 | PZZA DEADLINE: Levi & Korsinsky Reminds Papa John's International, Inc. Investors of Upcoming Securities Class Action Deadline | -0.9% | -1.1% |
| Oct 9, 2026 | PZZA Investor Alert: Papa John's International, Inc. Securities Class Action Notice - Contact Levi & Korsinsky | +1.5% | +0.6% |
Keep researching PZZA
- PZZA earnings historyPast Papa John's International Inc. earnings releases, newest first.
- What is Earnings per share?A company's net income available to common shareholders divided by its weighted average shares outstanding, reported as basic and diluted figures.
- How to read an earnings reportAn earnings report is a company's quarterly results release, usually filed under 8-K Item 2.02. Learn how to read revenue, EPS, margins, guidance and the 10-Q.
- Earnings calendarWho reports this week, and the results as they come out.
- PZZA financial statementsRevenue, profit, cash flow and balance sheet from Papa John's International Inc.'s SEC filings.
- PZZA insider tradesEvery buy and sale reported by Papa John's International Inc. officers, directors and large holders.
- Market cap
- 30-day
- Sector
- Consumer Discretionary
- Industry
- Restaurants
- Listed since
- 1993
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