US-based pizza chain Papa Johns has entered a franchise agreement with Rana Group that will see 20 outlets launched across Northern Ireland by 2034.

The first branch under the agreement began trading in early December 2025 at 82 Broughshane Street in Ballymena.

A second will be confirmed by March 2026, with further sites to follow over the remainder of the 2020s.

Each outlet is expected to employ between 15 and 20 staff, creating up to 400 jobs across Northern Ireland once all stores are operational.

Papa Johns currently has around 450 locations in the UK and is continuing to deploy capital into new store roll‑outs as well as making updates to its menu and digital channels.

The new agreement is led by franchisee Rana Abhol, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the pizza trade.

He began his career handling telephone orders and later became regional operations director for a competing brand in Northern Ireland, before joining Papa Johns in 2017.

Abhol now runs more than 25 Papa Johns sites across the UK.

Papa Johns UK & Europe managing director Chris Phylactou stated: "This new agreement is an exciting milestone for Papa Johns, reinforcing our momentum and long-term vision for sustainably growing in the UK.

"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.”

In November 2025, the brand transferred ownership of 85 US outlets in the Washington DC and Baltimore markets to Pie Investments under a refranchising deal.

Pie Investments, led by franchisee operator Chris Patel, has taken over the outlets previously held by Colonel’s Limited.