Papa John's stock rose by 5.24% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA amid a broader market decline.
The company is launching a limited Protein Crust Pizza in Atlanta exclusively for Papa Rewards members, featuring high-quality ingredients and addressing the growing consumer demand for healthier options. This initiative not only reinforces the brand's commitment to its loyal customers but also aims to attract new members through unique offerings. The Senior VP of Brand Marketing indicated that this limited release could lead to future menu expansions based on consumer response.
This strategic move highlights Papa John's adaptability to market trends and consumer preferences, potentially positioning the company for sustained growth in a competitive landscape.
Wall Street analysts forecast PZZA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for PZZA is 49.14 USD with a low forecast of 42.00 USD and a high forecast of 60.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
9 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast PZZA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for PZZA is 49.14 USD with a low forecast of 42.00 USD and a high forecast of 60.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 35.880
Low
42.00
Averages
49.14
High
60.00
Current: 35.880
Low
42.00
Averages
49.14
High
60.00
BofA
Sara Senatore
Neutral
downgrade
$42 -> $40
2026-01-26
New
Reason
BofA
Sara Senatore
Price Target
$42 -> $40
AI Analysis
2026-01-26
New
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
BofA analyst Sara Senatore lowered the firm's price target on Papa John's to $40 from $42 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm is fine-tuning estimates for 22 restaurant companies across its coverage and adjusting select price targets to reflect estimate and valuation multiple changes.
Mizuho
Neutral
downgrade
$44 -> $40
2026-01-09
Reason
Mizuho
Price Target
$44 -> $40
2026-01-09
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
Mizuho lowered the firm's price target on Papa John's to $40 from $44 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the restaurant group as part of its 2026 outlook. Mizuho's base case remains a restaurant price war continues this year to combat traffic share loss to grocery as a result of higher post-COVID relative price increases. Casual diners are best positioned to outperform, followed by coffee and fast casual, with quick service positioned least favorably, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Mizuho's top pick remains Dutch Bros. It added Brinker and Cheesecake Factory to its top three, while removing Domino's Pizza and Wingstop.
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Stephens
Jim Salera
Overweight
downgrade
$50 -> $49
2025-11-07
Reason
Stephens
Jim Salera
Price Target
$50 -> $49
2025-11-07
downgrade
Overweight
Reason
Stephens analyst Jim Salera lowered the firm's price target on Papa John's to $49 from $50 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares after Q3 came up short on North America comps, total revenue, adjusted EPS and unit development. While near-term sentiment is likely to remain pressured, the firm sees key initiatives - including digital modernization, refranchising, and supply chain savings - positioning the company to build momentum in FY26.
BMO Capital
Andrew Strelzik
Outperform
downgrade
$60 -> $54
2025-11-07
Reason
BMO Capital
Andrew Strelzik
Price Target
$60 -> $54
2025-11-07
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
BMO Capital analyst Andrew Strelzik lowered the firm's price target on Papa John's to $54 from $60 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The company's Q3 EBITDA of $48M missed consensus of $51M, reflecting North America comp softness as turnaround stalled amid softer consumer and increasingly promotional landscape, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About PZZA
Papa John’s International, Inc. operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants and, in certain international markets, dine-in and delivery restaurants under the trademark Papa Johns. The Company operates through four segments. Its Domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all domestic Company-owned restaurants; the North America commissaries segment comprises approximately 11 full-service regional dough production and distribution quality control centers in the United States; the North America franchising segment consists of franchise sales and support activities, and International operations segment principally consists of distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the United Kingdom and its franchise sales and support activities. The Company operates approximately 6,030 Papa John’s restaurants in operation, consisting of 552 Company-owned and 5,478 franchised restaurants operating in 51 countries and territories.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.