Net Lease Industry

Lowest
Cap Rate

5.75%

Lowest cap rate over past 24 months

Average
Cap Rate

6.50%

12 mo avg with 5+ yr lease term


Overview
Most Papa Johns locations range from 1,200 to 1,800 square feet, often located in inline retail strips, endcaps, or small outparcels. Leases are generally structured as 10- to 15-year NNN or absolute NNN, with 7% to 10% rent escalations every 5 years. Newer leases are increasingly corporate-guaranteed, though many legacy stores are franchisee-backed. Sites are optimized for carryout and delivery, with minimal dine-in areas.
Average Property & Lease
Average Sale Price $1,200,000 – $2,000,000
Average NOI $80,000 – $130,000
Building SF 1,200
Lease Term 15 Years
Escalations 10% Every 5 Years
Stock Symbol NASDAQ:PZZA
CREDIT RATING
S&P

B+

Moody's

B1

TENANT DESCRIPTION

Papa Johns was founded in 1984 in Jeffersonville, Indiana, by John Schnatter, who began selling pizzas out of the back of his father’s tavern. The brand quickly grew by focusing on high-quality ingredients and a streamlined delivery model, becoming one of the largest pizza chains in the world. Papa Johns is publicly traded under Papa John’s International, Inc., and operates thousands of locations globally through a mix of corporate-owned and franchise-operated stores.

PROS
  • Publicly traded company with a large franchise network

  • Strong brand recognition and delivery-based model

  • Small footprint keeps rent, capex, and operating costs low

  • Flexible site selection across suburban, urban, and college markets

  • Corporate-guaranteed leases available for newly developed stores

CONS
  • Credit rating is non-investment-grade

  • Many leases are franchisee-backed, requiring tenant diligence

  • Dine-in revenue is limited; performance tied to delivery/takeout trends

  • Competition in pizza/QSR space remains high

COMPANY QUICK STATS
Founded 1984
Headquarters Atlanta, GA, U.S.
Number of Locations 5,700
Revenue $2.1 B
Company Website https://www.papajohns.com
Key Principal Rob Lynch