Peyton Manning Now Owns 21 Papa John’s Pizza Stores

I’m assuming that you have seen the Papa John’s pizza commercial featuring Peyton Manning, but there is a little more to that partnership then meets the eye. The NFL announced Friday that Peyton Manning became the newest franchisee for Papa John’s pizza, signing a deal to own 21 stores in the Denver area Friday. It just so happens that the announcement came on the same day that Papa John’s announced it had signed a multi-year contract to continue as the official pizza of the NFL and the Super Bowl. No financial terms have been disclosed.

Comments from both sides of the ball were positive.

“He’s the kind of partner we’re looking for, not only in marketing but in business,” said Papa John’s chief marketing officer, Andrew Varga.

Peyton Manning added, “it’s a smart investment now and will be long after I’m done playing football.”

“The pizza category is fun. Our founder has fun when he gets into the commercials,” Varga said. “You throw Peyton into that mix with the NFL platform and it makes it easy to execute lighthearted commercials that are very much in character for both.”