05:20 AM EST, 11/26/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Papa John's International (PZZA) said late Tuesday it has refranchised 85 of its restaurants in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets.

The control has been transferred to Pie Investments, which now operates more than 150 Papa John's restaurants, the company said.

The restaurants were previously owned and operated by Colonel's, a joint venture between Papa John's and Steeplechase Express.

Papa John's and Pie Investments plan to open 52 additional new restaurants by 2030 to expand Papa John's footprint across the Greater Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore markets, the company said.