Papa John‘s International, Inc.
Mar 31, 2005

Papa John's to Air ''Spicy'' Ad During Tonight's Episode of the Apprentice

Papa John's to Air ''Spicy'' Ad During Tonight's Episode of the ApprenticeCompany Takes Lighthearted Approach to Promote Its New Spicy Meatball Pizza and Reinforce Its "Better Ingredients. Better Pizza." ® message

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2005--Many viewers tuning in to tonight's episode of "The Apprentice" on NBC will see a "spicy" ad from Papa John's International, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZA). With one of the other national pizza chains featured on the show, the company poses the question to consumers, "Why eat a pizza made by apprentices when you can call the pros at Papa John's?"

The 30-second spot, scheduled to run in 64 markets representing roughly two-thirds of U.S. households, features Papa John's Founder and Chairman, John Schnatter, in a boardroom setting asking consumers to tell the competition "they're fired" as he introduces Papa John's new Spicy Meatball pizza. The television spot will be complemented by a full-page ad in USA Today this Friday, including a special offer for consumers who order online at www.papajohns.com.

"While we don't know much about reality TV, we do know a thing or two about making a superior-quality pizza," commented Schnatter. "While viewers are focused on pizza, we thought this would be a fun way to introduce consumers to our new Spicy Meatball pizza while reinforcing our overall 'Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.' message."

Whether in the dining room or boardroom, up in the suite or down on the street, street smarts or book smarts, we think you'll like Papa John's new Spicy Meatball pizza. Launched this week, the pizza is a tasty combination of Italian-seasoned meatballs, fresh-sliced onions and green peppers, on a new bold and spicy tomato sauce and topped with Parmesan garlic seasoning. The limited time promotion offers consumers a large Spicy Meatball pizza for only $11.99.

About Papa John's:

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, Papa John's remains focused on using the highest quality ingredients to make its customers a superior-quality pizza. Papa John's makes the crust of every traditional pizza with fresh dough (never frozen) prepared with clear-filtered water in the company's regional quality control centers. Papa John's uses only fresh-packed tomato sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes, which go from the vine to the can in an average of six hours; cheese made with 100% mozzarella; and other high-quality toppings.



In the five most recent surveys (1999-2003, as published in The Wall Street Journal), Papa John's received the highest ratings among all national fast food restaurants in The American Customer Satisfaction Index survey conducted by The National Quality Research Center at the University of Michigan Business School. Papa John's was rated above the national average for all industries and ranked the highest in the retail sector. Papa John's also continues to receive local market Best Pizza wins in various cities across the country.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) is the third-largest pizza company in America. As of February 20, 2005, Papa John's had 2,832 restaurants (570 company-owned and 2,262 franchised) operating in 49 states and 20 international markets. Papa John's also franchises an additional 117 Perfect Pizza restaurants in the United Kingdom. For more information about the company, please visit www.papajohns.com.

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CONTACT: Papa John's International, Inc.
Chris Sternberg, 502-261-4934

SOURCE: Papa John's International, Inc.