Papa John\'s International Inc logo

Papa John\'s International Inc(PZZA)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$19.98
11/10/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for PZZA

11/10/2026: PZZA (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Papa John's International is a global quick-service restaurant chain known for its pizza delivery and carryout model. The company's primary strength lies in its recognized brand and a resilient franchise-based business model that generates predictable royalty revenue. Growth opportunities are centered on international expansion and ongoing enhancements to its digital loyalty platform. However, the company faces risks from intense competition, rising labor costs, and operational pressures within the franchised network. Investors should monitor quarterly comparable sales and margin management in an inflationary environment. While the company is well-positioned, it is a mature player that may suit dividend-focused or long-term growth investors looking for exposure to the restaurant sector.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is largely driven by unit expansion rather than explosive market disruption.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is conditional on consistent quarterly comparable sales outperformance.
Value investorMixed fitValuation levels often fluctuate based on margin expectations and commodity cost outlooks.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company provides a reliable dividend stream supported by its franchise-based cash flow model.
Low-risk investorMixed fitThe restaurant industry is sensitive to economic cycles and consumer discretionary spending.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumStock price moves in response to quarterly sales trends and industry-wide commodity shifts.
Valuation riskMediumInvestors must weigh the company's growth potential against premium multiples relative to peers.
Competition risk (Pizza sector consolidation)HighIntense competition from larger chains like Domino's can squeeze market share and pricing power.
Business qualityStrongThe franchise model generates steady, high-margin royalty streams.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are stable but may not offer the yield required by income-focused investors.
Execution riskMediumSuccess depends on consistent operational execution across thousands of franchised units.

Price Behavior

Steep Decline
PRICE PATH

Steep Decline

The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -48.83%
Avg. Invested days 29
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/10/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
PZZA receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
PZZA has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and strong ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-63.4%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 3.0%), slightly negative revenue growth (-0.3%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
PZZA's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (3.0% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is PZZA's strongest growth driver at +79.5% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-0.3%, slightly negative) and earnings growth (-63.4%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 113.6% and approximately 93.6% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 6.74% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 15.05%
Earnest Partners LLC 8.77%
Brandes Investment Partners & Co 8.29%
Bank of America Corp 6.87%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.95%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
PZZA generates approximately $289 of gross profit, $43 of operating income, and $30 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Soft margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and moderate capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 33.61%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
PZZA has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedSmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 658.21M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 27.37
1Y Target Price 23.5
Price to earnings Ratio 27.37
1Y Target Price 23.5
Volume (30-day avg) 1.5M shares
Beta 1.16
52 Weeks Range 17.70 - 42.79
Updated Date 11/10/2026
52 Weeks Range 17.70 - 42.79
Updated Date 11/10/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 6.65%
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.73

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Domestic FranchisingRoyalty fees and marketing fund contributions from US-based franchise operators.Steady, high-margin revenue stream that scales as more stores open.
North America CommissariesFood production and distribution services for US restaurants.Core operational backbone ensuring consistency across all locations.
International OperationsFranchise royalties and joint venture income from outside the United States.The primary engine for long-term unit growth.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-11-05
When Before Market
Estimate 0.1
Actual 0.16

Profitability

Profit Margin 1.36%
Operating Margin (TTM) 3.39%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 8.71%
Return on Equity (TTM) -

Valuation

Trailing PE 27.37
Forward PE 19.01
Enterprise Value 1.57B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.34
Enterprise Value 1.57B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.34
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.82
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 9.29
Shares Outstanding 32.94M
Shares Floating 30.84M
Shares Outstanding 32.94M
Shares Floating 30.84M
Percent Insiders 6.74
Percent Institutions 113.63

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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