Papa Johns Operator Files for Bankruptcy

Yasir Hussain, who owns 15 Papa Johns restaurants across Pennsylvania and Ohio, filed for bankruptcy on Monday.

The bankruptcy comes after several years of expansion for Hussain, who began his career in the pizza industry as a dishwasher more than two decades ago. He eventually became a restaurant manager and oversaw multiple locations before opening his first Papa Johns franchise in 2019.

Expansion and bankruptcy

Hussain’s restaurant portfolio grew to 12 locations by February 2025, according to a previously published Papa Johns franchisee profile. At the time, Hussain was preparing to expand further into Ohio, including another restaurant in Cleveland.

Papa Johns is currently working to reverse declining sales across its North American business. Same-store sales fell 8.3 percent in the third quarter, including an 8.

Company response

5 percent decline at franchised restaurants. The company recently introduced its “Unbox Better” turnaround strategy, focused on improving food quality, restaurant operations, marketing, and franchisee profitability. As part of that effort, Papa Johns is reducing its supply chain margin and technology fees to provide financial relief to operators.

The chain has also closed 146 North American restaurants year-to-date as it works toward a target of approximately 300 closures through 2027.