Papa Johns Refranchises 28 Orlando Stores With Veteran Oney

Papa Johns Transfers 28 Orlando Restaurants to Veteran Franchisee Wade Oney

Papa Johns has completed the refranchising of 28 company-owned restaurants in the Orlando area, handing the locations to one of the brand’s most experienced franchise operators as it continues reshaping its North American business.

The restaurants are now owned and operated by PZZA Group and Magic City Pizzerias, both led by longtime Papa Johns franchisee Wade Oney.

With the Orlando acquisition complete, Oney and his franchise organizations now control more than 120 Papa Johns restaurants. The deal also strengthens their position across Florida, where they have been actively expanding in recent years.

Orlando Restaurants Move From Corporate to Franchise Ownership

Papa Johns entered into an agreement to sell the 28 Orlando-area restaurants in June 2026.

According to the company’s financial filing, the transaction carried a sale price of approximately $10.8 million before transaction expenses and customary post-closing adjustments.

The deal officially closed in August, converting the restaurants from corporate-operated locations into franchised stores.

Rather than bringing in a new investor with limited experience in the brand, Papa Johns placed the restaurants with an operator who has spent decades working within the pizza industry.

Oney began working in the restaurant business in 1981 and later held senior leadership roles with major pizza companies. His history with Papa Johns includes six years as chief operations officer, when he helped oversee the chain during an important period of expansion.

He later moved into franchise ownership and built a sizeable multi-unit business.

Wade Oney Continues Growing in Florida

The Orlando acquisition follows a period of steady development for Oney and his franchise companies.

His organizations opened 10 Papa Johns restaurants across Central and South Florida during 2025. Adding another 28 existing locations gives the group significantly greater scale and market coverage.

Papa Johns has also recognized Oney's franchise organizations for their restaurant operations, customer service, workplace culture and community involvement.

That operating record is important because the company has made it clear that its refranchising strategy is focused on established franchise partners capable of managing larger restaurant portfolios.

The Orlando transaction therefore represents more than a simple sale of corporate assets. It places a major group of restaurants with an operator that already has the infrastructure and experience to manage the brand at scale.

Papa Johns Is Building Around Stronger Franchise Partnerships

The Orlando deal comes as Papa Johns is putting greater emphasis on franchise partnerships in both domestic and international markets.

In late August, the company announced KM Capital as its new franchise partner in Mexico. The Mexico-based investment and advisory firm will assume leadership of 44 existing Papa Johns franchised restaurants across the country. Papa Johns has identified Mexico as an important growth market and expects the partnership to support stronger restaurant operations, brand development and future expansion.

The Mexico announcement and Orlando transaction happened only one day apart, highlighting how franchise partnerships are becoming increasingly important to the company's broader growth strategy.

In both cases, Papa Johns is relying on partners with the resources and market knowledge needed to strengthen existing restaurants while creating opportunities for future development.

Refranchising Is Part of a Larger Transformation

The Orlando sale comes at a challenging time for Papa Johns' North American business.

North American comparable sales declined 8.3% during the second quarter of 2026. Comparable sales at company-operated restaurants fell 8.9%, while franchised restaurants were down 8.2%.

Management has pointed to a softer consumer environment, fewer transactions and aggressive promotional competition across the quick-service restaurant industry.

Rather than waiting for those conditions to improve, Papa Johns has been making changes throughout the organization.

The company is investing in technology, customer acquisition, restaurant improvements, product development and supply-chain efficiencies while working to improve profitability at the restaurant level.

Papa Johns also suspended its quarterly dividend beginning with the third quarter of 2026, giving the company greater flexibility to invest additional capital in its transformation.

Franchise Economics Take Priority

A major part of that strategy involves improving the economics of individual restaurants.

Papa Johns has introduced financial incentives linked to operational performance and restaurant upgrades. It is also working to reduce costs through supply-chain improvements and greater operating efficiency.

At the same time, weaker restaurants are being removed from the system.

The approach marks a shift away from focusing primarily on restaurant count. Papa Johns is instead concentrating on building a healthier network of locations supported by franchisees that have the resources to operate and grow successfully.

Refranchising can support that strategy by allowing established operators to acquire existing restaurants rather than relying only on new construction.

Orlando Could Be Part of a Larger Refranchising Push

Papa Johns has already indicated that additional corporate markets could be evaluated for refranchising.

That makes the Orlando transaction particularly important.

It demonstrates how the company can move an entire group of corporate restaurants into the hands of an existing franchisee while creating capital that can be reinvested elsewhere in the business.

For Wade Oney, the acquisition provides greater density in a market close to his existing Florida operations.

For Papa Johns, it reduces corporate ownership while strengthening its relationship with one of the system's largest operators.

As the company works through its 2026 transformation, experienced multi-unit franchisees are likely to play an increasingly important role in how Papa Johns develops, operates and restructures markets across North America.

Explore more about Papa John’s Franchise opportunities.