The pizza dining industry is facing a flurry of mergers and acquisitions that could lead to multiple sales transactions in the upcoming months.
Papa John’s International’s largest U.S. franchisee Nadeem Bajwa and investment firm Irth Capital are negotiating with the pizza chain to buy out the company and take it private, sources have told Reuters.
Nadeem Bajwa operates about 300 Papa John’s locations. Irth and Papa John’s declined to comment and Nadeem Bajwa was not immediately available for comment, Reuters said.
Pizza Hut said to consider sale
And now, Yum Brands is conducting exclusive discussions seeking to sell its Pizza Hut business to private equity firm LongRange Capital, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters.
LongRange and Yum are discussing a potential deal that could be announced in several weeks, though there is no guarantee that an agreement will be reached, the source said.
LongRange declined to comment, while Yum was not immediately available for comment, Reuters said on May 29.
Negotiations on a sale proceed, while industry headwinds have impacted the fast-food industry, as rising prices driven by inflation have reduced consumer demand and discouraged diners from eating out.
Pizza chains have blamed fierce competition, rising labor and food costs, and high lease rates for their economic troubles that have led to store closings, restructurings, and bankruptcy filings.
A survey by Popmenu revealed that 68% of U.S. consumers say they are reducing their restaurant dining and prioritizing affordability and convenience, The Street’s Nina Zdinzak reported. Consumers in February 2026 said that they had reduced their restaurant spending to about $90 a week from $115 a week in June 2025.
Link: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/major-pizza-chain-might-sell-154500599.html