According to the Associated Press, “Papa John’s is betting the store on keeping its eye on the pie — even as two larger competitors load their plates with pasta or sandwiches to boost sales in the slumping economy.”

“John Schnatter, founder and chief executive of Papa John’s International Inc., is taking a pass on the type of menu expansions rolled out by rivals Pizza Hut and Domino’s Pizza Inc. in the past year. The No. 1 and 2 chains have rolled out pastas and sandwiches as they fight for sales in a pizza business that isn’t doing as well as fast-food rivals in the recession. The third-largest chain, Louisville-based Papa John’s, tested its own pasta and calzones, but decided against offering them nationwide.”