Papa Johns, the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, is preparing to open a new location at eTown, between the St. Johns Town Center and Flagler Center on 9B.
The new Jacksonville Papa Johns will be owned and operated by franchisee Nadeem Bajwa, the co-founder and CEO of Bajco Group. Papa Johns is expected to open in late summer 2023, according to an announcement. The pizzeria will join several other businesses coming to this ongoing development, including Mr. Chuy Taqueria & Cantina, The Dolly Llama, and Grand Nails Lounge, which will all share the building with Papa Johns. These businesses are anchored by a Publix
“We’re thrilled to bring Papa Johns to eTown,” Bajwa said in the announcement. “Our goal is to provide residents with the same high-quality pizzas and sides that the brand is known for while offering exceptional service and a welcoming atmosphere. We’re excited to become a part of the eTown community. We look forward to serving delicious pizzas and sides to our customers and becoming a go-to destination for pizza lovers in the area.”
Bajwa is a multi-unit franchise owner who started working with the company in college as a delivery driver. Now with 192 Papa Johns franchises across 11 states within 25 years, Bajwa says his goal is to hit 500 stores, according to Pizza Marketplace. All of his locations feature high-quality ingredients to create delicious, fresh, and flavorful pizzas that customers love. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen.
“I started learning about the model, and I started to like it,” Bajwa tells Pizza Marketplace. “I started learning about Papa Johns (and) how the brand was built. It was an interesting story. What really affected me was the business model. It’s a very simple model. It was easy to learn. It’s not a side business. You have to be fully devoted to your business to succeed. I was lucky to find Papa Johns.”
