LOUISVILLE, Ky., Mar 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Papa John’s International /quotes/comstock/15*!pzza/quotes/nls/pzza (PZZA 25.78, -0.04, -0.16%) today announced its 2009 Franchise Operators of the Year:

— Milan Enterprises, LTD (E. Brunswick, N.J.), National Small Group Franchisee of the Year (1-3 restaurants) — Rana Ali and Syed Shah

— ATM Pizza, Inc. (New York, N.Y.), National Medium Group Franchisee of the Year (4-10 restaurants) — Ajay Choudhary

— Pizza Ventures of San Antonio, LLC (San Antonio, Texas), Large Group Franchisee of the Year (11 or more restaurants) — Clark Mandigo

— Inversiones Blumaro, S.A. (Dominican Republic), International Franchisee of the Year — Isabel Turrull

Recognized before their peers at the company’s Annual Operator’s Conference, the winners were selected primarily for demonstrating Papa John’s commitment to serving a superior-quality pizza, world-class customer service and outstanding community involvement. All four winning franchisees also were recognized for adhering to Papa John’s high standards, and running successful restaurant operations.

“Our winners do an excellent job delivering on our ‘Better Ingredients, Better Pizza’ brand promise,” said Jude Thompson, Papa John’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “These franchisees are excellent role models for the entire Papa John’s system and it is an honor to recognize their efforts.”

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!pzza/quotes/nls/pzza (PZZA 25.78, -0.04, -0.16%) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For nine of the last 10 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.