Carbon Footprint — Operations: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's reported 2022 Scope 1 emissions of 52,695.66 mtCO₂e and Scope 2 of 37,938.18 mtCO₂e, totalling 90,633.84 mtCO₂e (GlobalData, 2022 Corporate Responsibility Highlights report). GHG Protocol-aligned methodology with breakdown by source (natural gas, propane, diesel, refrigerants, electricity). However, no evidence of third-party verification was found, and data has not been updated with multi-year tracking beyond intensity metrics. Score sits between basic disclosure (4) and full GHG Pr

Carbon Footprint — Supply Chain: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's has not quantified or publicly reported Scope 3 emissions. The company has stated plans to measure Scope 3 and evaluate targets, but as of the most recent data available, no Scope 3 figures have been published. For a global QSR company with 6,000+ restaurants, complex agricultural supply chains (beef, dairy, wheat, tomatoes, palm oil, soy), and extensive distribution through Quality Control Centers, this is a significant gap. Ceres Food Emissions 50 assessment indicators suggest the

Emissions Trajectory: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's reports a reduction in GHG intensity (mtCO₂e per $100,000 revenue) over time but has not demonstrated absolute emissions reductions. The company's restaurant count grew from ~5,906 (2023) to ~6,083 (2025), and without absolute multi-year Scope 1+2 data across years, it is not possible to confirm a downward trajectory. Intensity improvements while growing operations may mask rising absolute emissions. Only one year of Scope 1+2 data (2022) is publicly available. No trajectory data acr

Energy Source: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's UK Quality Control Centers use 100% renewable electricity. One Houston-area franchisee (Houston Pizza Venture, ~85 stores) has used 100% renewable energy since 2015. However, there is no system-wide renewable energy strategy or commitment for the approximately 552 company-owned restaurants, 10+ Quality Control Centers across North America, or corporate offices. Papa John's is not a member of RE100 and has not disclosed a company-wide renewable energy percentage. The limited renewable

Nature & Biodiversity Impact: How does Papa John's International score?

As You Sow's 2022 shareholder resolution noted that Papa John's uses beef, palm oil, soy, and fiber-based packaging — all leading deforestation-risk commodities — yet 'lacks any disclosures or policies related to supply chain deforestation,' in contrast to competitors Domino's and Yum! Brands. No deforestation-free commitment, no TNFD disclosure, no biodiversity policy or nature risk assessment was found. For a food company with significant exposure to deforestation-linked commodities, this abse

Resource Use & Waste: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's has a reusable dough tray programme that diverted over 197,000 pounds of waste from landfills by recycling 65,000+ trays. The company also has a Harvest Program donating surplus meals (250,000+ meals). The Environmental Statement identifies sustainable packaging and materials management as priorities. These are positive but limited initiatives — no comprehensive circularity targets, no quantified waste reduction metrics across the system, and no public reporting on total waste genera

Water Impact: How does Papa John's International score?

No water consumption data, water footprint metrics, or water management strategy was found in any of Papa John's public disclosures. For a food service company with significant water use across restaurant operations (dough-making, food preparation, cleaning) and agricultural supply chains (tomatoes, wheat, dairy), the absence of any water data or management programme is a notable gap. The food sector has material water dependencies, particularly in agriculture-intensive supply chains.

Targets & Commitments: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's has not committed to or validated science-based targets through SBTi. The company states plans to develop a climate action plan, measure Scope 3 emissions, and evaluate targets for reducing emissions and deforestation risks. However, no specific, measurable, time-bound emissions reduction targets have been published. Published an Environmental Statement listing priorities but without quantified goals or timelines. Intent to act without concrete targets or delivery warrants a score of

Transparency & Accountability: How does Papa John's International score?

Papa John's publishes annual Corporate Responsibility Highlights reports (2021-2024) aligned with SASB. ESG metrics are tied to corporate incentive compensation for all full-time employees, not just executives. The company has conducted a materiality assessment and has Board-level engagement on ESG. However, the reports are highlights-style rather than comprehensive sustainability reports with full data disclosure. Scope 1+2 has been reported but Scope 3 remains undisclosed. The sustainability/t

Controversies & Red Flags: How does Papa John's International score?

Starting at 8. Deductions: As You Sow 2022 shareholder resolution criticising lack of deforestation policy is a credible NGO critique (unresolved, -1). $5M class action settlement for no-poach antitrust clauses is a labour issue, not environmental, but indicates governance weakness (-1). Ethos ESG gave Papa John's an F rating (19.3), ranking 60th out of 61 industry peers — while not a specific controversy, it corroborates weak environmental performance across the board. No evidence of climate lo

Papa John's International Sustainability Score: 24/100

Recently scored: Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis Groupe, WPP

507 companies scored·4 score updates this week

Papa John's International·Food Service / Restaurants·Louisville, United States·Founded 1984·Last verified 25 April 2026

out of 100

Significant gapsPending Review

Papa John's has no Scope 3 emissions data, no renewable energy strategy, no deforestation policy despite exposure to beef, palm oil, and soy, and no science-based targets. The company discloses Scope 1+2 but lacks verification, multi-year absolute reduction proof, and comprehensive supply chain accountability. Weak governance on material sustainability risks.

No challenges currently filed

The calculation

Every score shows its working.

Same formula for every company. No curve. No private weighting.

SINK = (0.3 × Base + 0.7 × Performance) × Scale

Industry base impact

Food Service / Restaurants sector ceiling.

45 / 100

Performance score

Sum of the 10 rubric questions, scored 0–10 each.

26 / 100

Raw score

Weighted average before scale penalty.

(0.3 × 45) + (0.7 × 26) = 31.7

Scale penalty

Multiplier based on absolute emissions volume — physics-first.

× 0.82

Final score

Rounded. Significant gaps.

24 / 100

The ten questions

Where Papa John's International is strong, and where it isn't.

Strongest on Controversies & Red Flags and Carbon Footprint — Operations (6/10, 5/10). Weakest on Targets & Commitments and Water Impact (1/10, 1/10).

Where the evidence comes from

Every document used, listed.

12 sources used in this assessment. All publicly available. Each row shows which rubric questions it informed.

[1]Public record

Hotel Management Network — Papa John's Net Zero Targets

Unknown

Q1Q2Q3Q8

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[2]Self-reported

Papa John's 2022 Corporate Responsibility Highlights Report

2022

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[3]Third-party verified

Ceres Food Emissions 50 — Papa John's International Inc

Ongoing

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[4]Self-reported

Papa John's LinkedIn Corporate Page

Ongoing

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[5]Public record

PR Newswire — Houston Area Papa John's Renewable Power Purchase

Unknown

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[6]Third-party verified

As You Sow — 2022 Shareholder Resolution: Papa John's Deforestation

2022

Q5Q10

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[7]Public record

Daily CSR — Papa John's Corporate Responsibility Highlights

Unknown

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[8]Public record

Environmental Leader — Papa John's ESG Metric for Incentive Compensation

2022

Q6Q8

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[9]Public record

Restaurant Dive — Papa John's Adds ESG Incentives to Compensation

Unknown

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[10]Self-reported

Responsibility Reports — Papa John's International Inc

Ongoing

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[11]Public record

OpenSecrets — Papa John's Lobbying Spending

Ongoing

Q10

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[12]Third-party verified

Ethos ESG — Papa John's International Rating

Unknown

Q10

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If you believe a source has been misread or a newer version exists, submit a challenge.

Papa John's International in context

Where Papa John's International sits among food service / restaurants peers.

Among the 46 major food service / restaurants brands we've scored, Papa John's International sits 42nd of 46.

42/46

Papa John's International's rank

Industry average

Industry low

Industry high

8Beefeater (Whitbread PLC)

9Wagamama

10Greggs

11Chipotle Mexican Grill

12Toby Carvery

13Domino's Pizza, Inc.

14Pret A Manger

15Costa Coffee

16Nando's

17The Wendy's Company

18Tortilla Mexican Grill

33Gourmet Burger Kitchen

36Itsu

41Dunkin'

42Papa John's International

43Burger King

44Chick-fil-A

45Subway

46Five Guys Enterprises

How this score has moved

Papa John's International's score over time.

Score history begins 5 April 2026.

As Papa John's International's score updates, the trajectory will appear here.

We're backfilling historical scores for FTSE 100 and S&P 100 companies over the coming weeks.

What's being contested

This score is not currently being contested.

Every challenge is published. We'd rather be corrected than wrong — that's the whole point.

No challenges submitted yet. If you have evidence that contradicts this score, you can challenge any question above — cite a public source and we'll review it.

About Papa John's International

Papa John's International operates approximately 6,000 pizza restaurants globally, with around 552 company-owned locations and 5,400+ franchises. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, it is a major quick-service restaurant chain with significant operations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The company competes directly with Domino's and Pizza Hut in the pizza QSR segment.

Founded

1984

Headquarters

Louisville, United States

Employees

~20,700 (2013)

Annual revenue

~$2.1B

Company website ↗

Check the competitors

Related companies worth a look.

Food Service / Restaurants

Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Direct competitor with significantly stronger deforestation policy and Scope 3 disclosure than Papa John's.

View breakdown →

Food Service / Restaurants

KFC (Yum! Brands)

QSR peer with more advanced supply chain emissions reporting and renewable energy commitments than Papa John's.

View breakdown →

Food & Beverage (meat/dairy)

McDonald's

Industry leader on science-based targets and Scope 3 quantification; exposes Papa John's gaps on climate strategy.

View breakdown →

Food Service / Restaurants

Subway

Similar-scale QSR franchise model; useful baseline for franchisee sustainability accountability mechanisms.

View breakdown →

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