Papa Johns has taken significant steps towards reducing its carbon footprint and prioritizing environmental initiatives. The global pizza restaurant chain has implemented measures across its Corporate Hubs, Quality Control Centers (QCCs), restaurants, and vehicle fleets, spanning 5,719 establishments in 48 countries.
Over the past year, Papa Johns has moved towards reusable packaging, monitoring its energy output, and managing surplus food. Ensuring food safety and quality is another priority, with the company committing to cage-free eggs and improving animal welfare throughout its supply chain.
“In the same way that we develop and evolve our menu, we are building a more sustainable business on a foundation of rigorous research and planning.”
The company also aims to work with key external stakeholder groups to develop a climate action plan. This will measure its Scope 3 emissions, assess its deforestation exposure in its supply chain, and evaluate targets to lower emissions and risks of deforestation.
“We are always open to new ways of delivering better in every aspect of our business, including efforts to reduce our environmental impact,” the company said in its 2022 Corporate Responsibility Highlights report.
“In the same way that we develop and evolve our menu, we are building a more sustainable business on a foundation of rigorous research and planning.”
Breaking away from single-use packaging
Significant efforts have been allocated to packaging. This includes a reusable dough tray program which has diverted over 197,000 pounds of waste from landfills. More than 65,000 dough trays have been reused and recycled, minimizing the need for single-use packaging.
Papa Johns has additionally invested in an energy management system to monitor, control and optimize its electricity generation.
Its Shore Power Electric program — involving the use of electricity to refrigerate delivery trucks during loading and unloading — has been expanded to six additional QCCs. According to the report, it generates a 25% reduction in diesel use every year.
A pilot program to install smart thermostats in restaurants was introduced in 2022 as well, optimizing temperature control and HVAC use.
According to the report, Papa Johns’ greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by over 6,000 metric tons of CO2eq compared to 2021.
Tackling food waste: The Papa Johns Harvest Program
Food waste is another prevailing issue. Green Restaurant Association has found that, on average, one restaurant in the US can produce up to 25,000 to 75,000 pounds of food waste a year. On a global scale, the UNEP finds that one billion tons of food is wasted annually.
Papa Johns coordinates surplus food donations from its restaurants through its Harvest Program, which has diverted 3.6 million pounds of food since 2010.
Its partnership with the Food Donation Connection ensures that incorrect and uncollected orders are donated to over 400 community organizations. In 2022, over 190,000 meals were donated.
In 2022, the Foundation played a key role in rerouting surplus produce from farms to food banks — minimizing food waste whilst ensuring resources were allocated to people in need.
Looking ahead, Papa Johns is committing to donating 10 million meals over the next five years to combat food waste and hunger.
Prioritizing animal welfare in the supply chain
Papa Johns has pledged to obtain 100% of its eggs and egg ingredients from cage-free suppliers by 2030. The company has been using cage-free eggs since 2016 for more than 90% of its egg purchases.
Such efforts have already been implemented in its UK market, where cage-free eggs have been used exclusively since 2018. The pizza chain intends to work with suppliers and other partners to increase the availability of cage-free eggs in regions of the world with limited sources.
“Our commitment to better extends to improving animal welfare throughout our supply chain,” the company said. “While Papa Johns does not breed, process, transport, own or raise animals, we expect suppliers to adhere to the highest commercial standards for animal welfare.”
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