Papa Johns brought back its Pan Pizza nationwide on Thursday, January 29. Following years of development, the revamped Pan Pizza returned with an updated recipe and new preparation techniques. The pizza features a fluffy, thick crust topped with layers of cheese, Italian seasoning, and various toppings.
Papa Johns Revamps Pan Pizza With a Bold New Recipe
Papa Johns is one of the largest pizza chains in the U.S., with a global customer base. The chain is best known for its ‘Better Ingredients. Better Pizza’ motto and its signature garlic dipping sauce.
Papa Johns’ Pan Pizza is a longtime favorite because of its crispy edges, soft center, and rich layers of cheese and toppings. As Papa Johns brought the item back, the company focused on updating the classic to better match current customer expectations.
According to the official announcement, Chief Marketing Officer Jenna Bromberg said that the brand’s development process is centered on consumer feedback and attention to detail.“Pan pizza is nostalgic, indulgent, and so beloved, and we saw the chance to elevate a pan-style pizza in a way that feels distinctly Papa Johns,” Bromberg added. The pizza chain also shared social media posts announcing the return of Pan Pizza to the menu.
Shivram Vaideeswaran, senior vice president of brand marketing, shared that the company had rebuilt the product “from the pan up” to deliver improvements across every component.
He added, “From the golden, crispy edges to the soft, airy center and bold, indulgent flavors in every bite, every detail was intentional. This isn’t just another launch; it’s our statement that great pizza matters, and our new Pan Pizza proves it from the very first bite.”
Inside Papa Johns’ New Pan Pizza Experience
The new Pan Pizza features previous classic elements like a thick, fluffy crust with a soft interior and crisp edges. Adding a twist, the dough is baked in a pan coated with Papa Johns’ Special Garlic Sauce and Parmesan cheese, creating caramelized, golden edges.
Along with that, the pizza is topped with a six-cheese blend that includes mozzarella, provolone, fontina, asiago, Parmesan, and Romano and, finished with Italian seasoning. The crust is designed to support up to seven toppings without losing structure.
The pizza chain also emphasized that the new Pan Pizza is made without artificial colors or flavors, consistent with the company’s ingredient standards.
Franchise partners were involved throughout the process. Nadeem Bajwa, CEO of Bajco Group, which operates more than 275 Papa Johns restaurants, said pan pizza remains a strong consumer favorite and that the company focused on refining every detail before reintroducing it to customers.
The new Pan Pizza prices start at $11.99 for a one-topping medium pizza, though pricing may vary by size, toppings, market, and location.
With the updated recipe, Papa Johns aims to strengthen its position in the pan pizza category by offering better quality.
