StreetLevel: Papa John's Takes a Slice of Sunset Park
Let the Sunset Park pie wars begin. This Friday, a Papa John’s franchise will open on 5th Avenue between 58th and 59th streets, right next door to neighborhood fixture Johnny’s Pizza and within a few blocks of two other mom-and-pop pizza joints. The Times chronicled community backlash to the new business in an August article;…
Let the Sunset Park pie wars begin. This Friday, a Papa John’s franchise will open on 5th Avenue between 58th and 59th streets, right next door to neighborhood fixture Johnny’s Pizza and within a few blocks of two other mom-and-pop pizza joints. The Times chronicled community backlash to the new business in an August article; as of then, 2,200 people had signed a petition that sought to stop the Papa John’s from opening. One of the Papa John’s opponents went so far as to say that the chain eatery had planted itself right in the face of everything that is Sunset Park. There goes the neighborhood? GMAP
I can understand the same block or across the street, but RIGHT NEXT DOOR? How much pizza can even New Yorkers eat??
Is Papa John Johny’s father?
I’m starting a petition to stop a Gap from opening because I’d rather buy $1.99 underwear from a rack sitting on Fifth
Avenue.
Time will tell if everyone feels the same in the community because if they have no customers Papa Johns will close.
I dont understand the opposition. If you offer a quality product that you stand by, why would you worry about competition moving in? Your loyal customers will still support you unless the competition offers better pricing and better tasting product.People have different tastes. Some people like Papa Johns while others like the old fashioned type pizza. I am sure there is room for both.Papa Johns might have a more extensive menu including the buffalo wings etc but I am sure the pizzeria sells more than pizza also.Good luck to all .
Johnny’s doesn’t need to worry — they offer a superior slice.
Its not cowardice–a petition is a community organizing to maintain the businesses it wants in the community–nothing wrong with that. Individual people can decide not to frequent Papa John’s or they can decide to make a collective effort. As for being “anti-free market” there is nothing “free” about letting chain restaurants into your neighborhood if you don’t want them. Chains have the ability to lower their prices to compete against local competition and then raise them to make up for it later. You’re asking long-time small businesses to fight a much stronger competitor with one hand tied behind their back.
I don’t see why the people would bother signing a petition. If they don’t like Papa John’s, then don’t go! With the price of a slice of pizza escalating, I appreciate more shops that can help lower prices through competition and make it harder for people like Gino to fix prices.
yes, actually i think grimaldi’s would care a lot if papa john’s opened next door.