Wichita - 7 February, 2006 -

Papa John's, based in Louisville, Ky., has only had carry-out and delivery service. But the slow-growing market for carry-out and delivered pizza is already crowded with competitors, Terry Newman, vice president for the local Papa John's franchise, said Tuesday. So Newman wants to move from the pizza carry-out and delivery market to the much larger casual-dining market, to compete against competitors such as Applebee's and Chili's, he said. The Wichita franchise will pioneer this move for the Papa John's chain, Newman said. He said the first restaurant wouldn't open for several months. Newman expects pizza to dominate the menu, which will also feature sandwiches, pasta and a salad bar. It will feel a lot like Pizza Hut, his main competitor, he said. "I think don't there will be a lot of difference with Pizza Hut," he said. "It will be a sit-down style pizza restaurant, but with a Papa John's feel." He expects to open one each on the east and west sides. He would either expand existing Papa John's locations or move the carry-out operation to the restaurant. Papa John's has 11 locations in the Wichita area

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