Overview

• Papa John’s has terminated its agreement with the South West franchisee, resulting in the temporary closure of 13 stores, including Barnstaple, Torquay, and Exeter.
• The closures follow a company review that cited performance and integrity concerns with the franchisee, Jabbar Mumtaz, who acquired the franchise in late 2023.
• Employees were informed of the closures via a message from the franchise owner without prior warning, leaving them unclear about pay for past work or future employment.
• The company has pledged to secure new franchise operators and reopen the affected locations as soon as possible, while supporting employees through the transition.
• The closures occur during a broader cost-of-living crisis, exacerbating financial concerns for impacted workers.