Papa John’s, one of the most recognized pizza chains worldwide, offers different food options across its locations in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The differences in the menu go beyond just the flavors, touching on aspects like portion sizes, ingredients, and prices.
In this article, we will explore these differences and how Papa John’s adapts to local preferences in both markets.
Pizza Sizes and Pricing
When it comes to pizza sizes, there are some notable differences between the US and UK offerings.
In the UK, a small pizza measures 9.5 inches, while in the US, a small pizza is 10 inches.
For larger pizzas, the UK offers a 15.5-inch extra-extra-large pizza, whereas the US goes slightly larger with a 16-inch extra-large.
Despite the larger sizes in the US, prices per square inch tend to be lower.
For example, a small cheese pizza in the UK costs £11.99 (around $15.54), which works out to 21.8 cents per square inch.
In contrast, the same pizza in the US costs $9.49, or 12 cents per square inch.
The XXL pizza in the UK is priced at $23.32, while the US extra-large pizza is priced at $15.49, which translates to a 7.7 cents per square inch difference.
Promotions are common in both regions, but the UK tends to offer frequent discounts.
This results in full-price purchases being less common in the UK compared to the US.
Vegan and Plant-Based Options
The UK menu stands out for its wide range of vegan and plant-based options.
Items like vegan “Sheese,” jackfruit pepperoni, vegan sausage, tandoori chicken, and spicy beef are popular choices.
Additionally, UK customers can enjoy toppings such as feta cheese and sweet corn, alongside side dishes like vegan cauliflower wings, tater tots, Marmite scrolls, and even Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free ice cream.
On the other hand, the US menu leans more towards traditional offerings, such as stuffed crusts with a variety of dipping sauces, including spicy garlic, ranch, honey mustard, and blue cheese.
Dessert options in the US include cinnamon pull-aparts, while sides feature jalapeño popper rolls and breadsticks.
Sides and Desserts
The UK menu offers several exclusive sides, including tater tots, Marmite scrolls, and vegan cauliflower wings.
For dessert, UK customers can indulge in chocolate and cinnamon scrolls, as well as milkshakes from the brand F’real.
In the US, sides include garlic knots, jalapeño popper rolls, and cinnamon pull-aparts.
Dessert choices in the US are more familiar, featuring chocolate chip cookies and brownies.
Crust Options
The crust options in the UK are quite diverse.
Papa John’s UK offers five different crust styles: original, authentic thin, stuffed crust, butternut squash base, and pepperoni-stuffed crust.
The butternut squash base serves as a gluten-free alternative, while the stuffed crust is available in both regular and vegan versions.
Meanwhile, the US menu includes stuffed crusts, such as the Parmesan cheese crust, along with a variety of dipping sauces.
In addition to these, the US menu features more dessert-style crust offerings, like cinnamon pull-aparts.
Ingredient Transparency
Papa John’s in the US prides itself on offering transparency in its ingredients.
The company emphasizes fresh, simple ingredients, such as unbleached enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, soybean oil, salt, and yeast.
However, the UK branch does not publicly disclose its full ingredient list, leaving some mystery about the specific components in their offerings.
Cultural Adaptations
The menu in each region is designed to reflect local tastes and food preferences.
In the UK, the inclusion of vegan options, Marmite scrolls, and a variety of unique crusts showcases an effort to cater to local dietary trends.
Meanwhile, the US menu focuses more on larger portion sizes, stuffed crusts, and a wider array of dipping sauces, which are in line with American food preferences.
These regional adaptations highlight Papa John’s ability to tailor its menu to fit the cultural and dietary expectations of customers in each market.
Conclusion
Papa John’s in the US and the UK offers different culinary experiences.
While both locations serve delicious pizzas, they cater to the unique
preferences of each country’s population.
From vegan options in the UK to the stuffed crusts and extensive dipping sauces in the US, Papa John’s proves its adaptability.
Whether you’re in the US or the UK, Papa John’s strives to offer something for everyone, reflecting local tastes and cultural influences.