Papa John’s New President and CEO

Rob Lynch is the President and Chief Executive Officer, Papa John's International, Inc.  effective immediately. Previously, he was President of Arby’s.

Jeff Smith, Chairman of the Papa John’s Board of Directors, said, ..."His proven record transforming organizations and realizing the growth potential of differentiated brands is ideally suited for Papa John’s as the company sets forth on its next chapter.”

As Papa John’s new President and CEO, Lynch’s priority is to focus the company and its franchisees on the brand’s tremendous future potential, building on Papa John’s history, customer service and passionate team members. His record reigniting purpose-driven organizations, leading high-performing, collaborative teams and growing successful consumer brands was demonstrated most recently during his tenure at Arby’s. Lynch and his team transformed Arby’s into the “Fast-Crafted” QSR brand of choice, delivering 16 consecutive quarters of same store sales growth and achieving record sales and profits for the brand last year.

“I am humbled and excited by the opportunity to work with this outstanding team to help make Papa John’s the best pizza company in the world,” Mr. Lynch commented. “Papa John’s has the most loved pizza in the industry, incredibly dedicated team members and franchisees that have proven their resilience and commitment, and a long history of innovation that puts the company at the front of where the foodservice industry is going. I look forward to building on these strengths, working with Papa John’s team members, franchisees and business partners. I absolutely believe that Papa John’s best days are ahead.”

Since 2017 Lynch was President of Arby’s and led the company’s operations, marketing, culinary, and development, as well as its digital transformation. He joined Arby’s as Chief Marketing Officer in 2013, during which time he created the “We Have the Meats” campaign. As President of the Arby’s Franchisee Association since 2013, he rebuilt strong franchisor/franchisee relations, driving the first new restaurant growth in 10 years.