Restaurants Papa Johns Completes Strategic Refranchising of Orlando-area Locations to Franchisee Wade Oney
Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA), known as Papa Johns®, has announced the strategic refranchising of 28 formerly corporate-owned restaurants in the Orlando, Florida, area. The restaurants have been acquired by PZZA Group, LLC and Magic City Pizzerias, LLC, both led by longtime Papa Johns franchisee operator Wade Oney.
The transaction marks another step in Papa Johns’ ongoing strategy to expand its network of franchise-owned restaurants by partnering with experienced operators who have demonstrated strong operational performance and a commitment to the brand. The 28 locations were previously owned and operated by Papa Johns USA, Inc. and will now be managed under Oney’s franchise organizations.
For Papa Johns, the refranchising initiative is designed to strengthen its restaurant network by placing company-owned locations in the hands of proven franchise partners. The company has increasingly emphasized collaboration with experienced operators who understand local markets, can maintain high service standards and have the resources and expertise needed to support long-term restaurant growth.
The Orlando-area transaction also represents a significant expansion for Oney and his franchise organizations. Following the acquisition, Oney’s restaurant portfolio now includes more than 120 Papa Johns locations. His organizations have continued to grow in recent years, including the opening of 10 new Papa Johns restaurants across Central and South Florida in 2025.
Oney’s relationship with the pizza industry and Papa Johns extends back decades. He began working in the restaurant business in 1981 and went on to develop extensive experience with major pizza companies. His career eventually brought him into senior leadership at Papa Johns, where he served as Chief Operations Officer for six years.
During his corporate tenure, Oney played a role in the company’s expansion as the Papa Johns system grew to more than 2,000 restaurants. His experience working on both the corporate and franchise sides of the business has provided him with a broad understanding of restaurant operations, franchise development, customer service and team management.
“Wade and his team have long stood as a leading example to other franchise partners of operational excellence, customer service, team culture and community support,” said John Matter, Global Chief Development Officer and Assistant Corporate Secretary at Papa Johns. His comments underscore the company’s confidence in Oney’s ability to operate and grow the newly refranchised restaurants while maintaining the standards associated with the Papa Johns brand.
For Oney, the latest transaction represents an opportunity to deepen his organization’s presence in Central Florida while continuing a relationship with Papa Johns that has spanned more than three decades.
“Over my 35 years as part of the Papa Johns family, I’ve learned how the brand offers a great place to work, equips franchisees to grow, and overall, presents a solid investment opportunity depending on economic times and how well you operate and take care of the customer,” said Oney, operating owner of PZZA Group, LLC and Magic City Pizzerias, LLC, as well as Bam-Bam Pizza, Inc., Oney Bayside, LLC and Coastal City Pizza, LLC.
Oney added that his team is excited to expand its Papa Johns portfolio and serve additional customers throughout Central Florida. The acquisition gives the franchise group a larger presence in one of Florida’s most important restaurant and tourism markets, while also creating additional opportunities to support employees and local communities.
The Orlando-area expansion builds on a track record of recognition within the Papa Johns franchise system. Oney and his team have been named Papa Johns Franchisee of the Year multiple times, reflecting their continued performance and commitment to the company.
Oney has also been inducted into the Papa Johns Hall of Fame, an honor that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the company and its franchise community. His long history with the brand and experience across different areas of the pizza industry have helped establish him as one of Papa Johns’ most experienced franchise operators.
Earlier this year, Oney received another major industry honor when he was named the recipient of the Spirit of Franchising MVP, or Most Valuable Performer, Award by Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. The award further highlighted his leadership and achievements as a multi-unit franchise operator.
The refranchising of the 28 Orlando-area restaurants demonstrates how Papa Johns is leveraging established franchise relationships to support the next stage of its restaurant development strategy. Rather than maintaining ownership of every location, the company can transition selected corporate restaurants to experienced franchisees with strong local operating capabilities.
For franchise partners such as Oney, these transactions provide opportunities to expand established portfolios and achieve greater scale within the Papa Johns system. For the company, working with operators who already have extensive knowledge of its products, systems and customer expectations can help create continuity while supporting broader growth.
The Orlando market is particularly significant because of its large population, strong tourism industry and extensive surrounding communities. Expanding the number of franchise-operated restaurants in the region gives Oney’s organizations an opportunity to build on their existing Central Florida presence while increasing access to Papa Johns products for customers.
The transaction also reinforces the importance of experienced franchise operators in the restaurant industry. As brands continue to balance corporate ownership with franchised operations, proven franchisees can play a critical role in driving restaurant performance, developing local teams, maintaining customer relationships and identifying opportunities for expansion.
With more than 120 Papa Johns restaurants now under Oney’s ownership and continued development across Central and South Florida, the latest refranchising agreement significantly expands his organization’s footprint. His long-standing relationship with the brand, combined with his corporate leadership experience and franchise operating background, positions the group for continued growth.
Papa Johns’ partnership with Oney illustrates the company’s broader approach of working with franchisees who have demonstrated operational excellence and a strong commitment to their communities. As the brand continues to pursue strategic growth, experienced operators are expected to remain an important part of its development strategy.
The Orlando-area refranchising therefore represents more than a transfer of restaurant ownership. It strengthens a longstanding franchise partnership, expands Oney’s presence in Florida and supports Papa Johns’ efforts to build a more strategically franchised restaurant network. With decades of industry experience behind him, Oney and his teams are now positioned to guide the 28 newly refranchised restaurants into the next phase of their development while continuing to serve customers across Central Florida.
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