A Papa John’s leaflet

After McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut, Calcutta will soon welcome Papa John’s, the “third largest pizza company in the world”, which wants to set up 10 to 15 outlets in the state.

Papa John’s International Inc. is among the six popular US-based food majors seeking partnership opportunities in eastern India, according to a release by the US Commercial Service, an agency of the US department of commerce.

“Papa John’s, which owns or franchises over 3,000 restaurants worldwide, has spelt out a concrete roadmap for Calcutta and the East. They want to open around 15 outlets in the next four to seven years,” Arup Mitra of the US Commercial Service told Metro on Thursday.

The other big US food brands looking at Calcutta are Church’s Chicken, one of the largest quick-service chicken chains in the world, CKE Restaurants, Tropical Sno, a leader in the shaved ice industry, The Melting Pot, one of America’s “premier” fondue restaurant franchises and Round Table Pizza.

The food sextet is looking to come to town riding on the US Commercial Service’s Focus Franchising programme, designed to assist Indian franchisees to establish commercial relations with US companies. Tropical Sno and Church’s Chicken are also said to be “very bullish” on Calcutta.

The US Commercial Service is collecting expressions of interest from Indian companies. “Our role is threefold — to provide market intelligence, find suitable local partners for the US brands and do the due diligence for them,” added Mitra.

Papa John’s, which has 23 outlets across India, has stipulated a “minimum required investment” of $150,000 per location. Tropical Sno, which will bring in its entire line of 23 flavours, is scouting for partners offering mall locations.

The new entrants will add more spice to the fast-food cauldron. While Papa John’s will offer competition to Pizza Hut and Domino’s, Church’s Chicken — founded in Texas in 1952 — will be pitted against KFC, specialising in southern American-style fried chicken.