From Pakistan to pizza empire: How Nadeem Bajwa rose from delivery boy to build Papa John’s biggest franchisee networks

Papa John’s International, the U.S.-based pizza giant and the world’s third-largest delivery brand, is preparing to make its comeback in India by October. The company had exited the country in 2017 after struggling with underperformance, but now plans a fresh entry into one of the fastest-growing quick-service restaurant (QSR) markets. The first new outlet will open in Bengaluru, with Pulsar Capital and UAE-based PJP Investments Group acting as joint master franchisees. The move follows Little Caesars’ entry into India earlier this year, which came with an ambitious target of 100 outlets by 2030.

Here's an inspiring story related to Papa John's, where a Pakistani immigrant went from delivering pizzas to build one of its biggest franchise networks.

Nadeem Saleem Bajwa's Inspiring Story

Behind Papa John’s global growth lies the remarkable journey of Nadeem Saleem Bajwa, a Pakistani immigrant who built one of the largest Papa John’s franchise networks in North America. Bajwa arrived in the U.S. in 1991, working as a dishwasher, delivery driver, and even juggling three jobs at a time to fund his education. Despite culture shock and language barriers, he persevered, eventually moving up from delivery driver to manager within Papa John’s.

By 2002, with family support and bank loans, Bajwa opened his first Papa John’s franchise in Ohio. The store cost about $150,000 to set up, with Bajwa cutting costs by handling much of the labor himself. The early days were far from easy—he recalls over-marketing his first outlet, leading to chaos on opening day, and later expanding too fast without the right team in place. These missteps, however, became invaluable lessons in patience and preparation.

Today, Bajwa’s Bajco Group operates more than 270 Papa John’s restaurants across the U.S., with plans to expand to 500, according to a report of CNBC. His group has also built supporting businesses, including a call center, construction arm, and tech services, creating efficiencies beyond the pizza chain itself.

Reflecting on his journey, Bajwa says humility and continuous learning have been the keys to his success. “I never dreamt of this growth. Everything started with delivering pizzas—and the rest followed,” he was quoted as saying by CNBC.