PZZA News & Events

Papa Johns unveils Lou AI - "a next-generation AI-powered pizza assistant available in the Papa Johns app designed to end group ordering chaos, help pizza lovers satisfy their cravings quickly and score great deals seamlessly," the company said. Lou AI is the first AI-powered platform deployed through Google Cloud's (GOOGL) Food Ordering agent that is equipping Papa Johns to "usher in a new era of pizza ordering that is more personalized, intuitive and seamless," the company added.

Papa John's International (PZZA) and Pizza Hut, owned by Yum Brands (YUM), are actively negotiating separate deals that could remove each company from public trading and give their management teams time to rethink their strategies and business models, said Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matters. Qatari-backed Irth Capital has been in talks with Papa John's and conducting due diligence on a potential acquisition over the last month, notes the report, which adds that "some investors are quietly optimistic" that Irth can reach a deal by the time Papa John's releases quarterly earnings on May 7. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands set another deadline this week for bidders to submit formal offers, three of the reports sources said.

Papa Johns announced the debut of its new Oven-Toasted Sandwiches. The Oven-Toasted Sandwich lineup includes: Philly Cheesesteak: Seasoned steak, roasted onions and peppers, pizza ranch, and white American cheese. Chicken Bacon Ranch: All white meat grilled chicken, bacon, diced tomatoes, banana peppers, pizza ranch, and white American cheese. Steak & Mushroom: Seasoned steak, loaded with roasted mushrooms and onion, garlic truffle sauce and white American cheese. Oven-Toasted Sandwiches are available for $7.99 or customers can pair two or more for $6.99 each through Papa Pairings. Starting at $9.49, guests can also bundle an Oven-Toasted Sandwich with any Pepsi-Cola beverage.