According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “ Papa John’s International Inc. said it expects 2010 to remain tough for the third-largest pizza brand, with same-store sales expected to range from an increase of 1 percent to a decrease of 1 percent.”

“’The consumer environment is expected to continue to be very challenging, with the unemployment rate and consumer confidence seen as key indicators for the restaurant industry,’ the company said in a statement Monday.  Through 2009, Papa John’s domestic same-store sales have remained basically flat from year-ago levels.  Papa John’s said its total revenues should increase in 2010 mainly because of expected worldwide unit growth, increases in the royalty rate and anticipated commodity cost increases that lead to higher commissary sales prices. Papa John’s owns a commissary that sells cheese to its franchisees.”