Leading pizza franchise, Papa John’s has appointed Tom Allen to the newly created role of R&D director for the UK. Allen who has 20 years’ experience in the food industry will now be responsible Papa John’s UK menu choices.
Tom Allen, UK R&D director, Papa John’s explains: “I am excited to join the Papa John’s team. The company continues to expand rapidly. While having the presence of a big, established and popular brand, the management team is small enough to be flexible and can respond quickly to changing customer trends in the market. This means I have the scope to innovate and really make a difference with new product introductions, while maintaining our focus on the quality ingredients that make up our ‘old favourites’ and best-selling pizzas.
“As well as developing Papa John’s menu, I will also be working closely with franchisees. Papa John’s has well over 400 franchised stores in the UK and I will spend some time visiting stores and meeting franchisees, managers and staff. It is critically important that we manage the cost of goods and any wastage and so I need to have direct feedback from franchisees to see how we can continue to make improvements. Franchisees often come up with some great new ideas for products and process improvements too!”
Tom Allen has two decades’ experience in the food industry, working in a consulting capacity both in the UK and abroad for household names such as M&S, Pret A Manager, KFC and Dominos in Australia through GWF Bakery and Charcuterie. For one high-end sandwich supplier, his customers have included Buckingham Palace, Sky TV and the Houses of Parliament! In the past, Tom also set up, ran and successfully sold his own award-winning artisan bakery and coffee shop.
As one of the largest pizza companies in the world, Papa John’s has opportunities for franchisees throughout the UK. Help is provided with location selection and full turn-key opening of stores. As a franchise, the Company supplies all the assistance needed to get your successful Papa John’s up and running.