Ravi Thanawala Elevated to Dual Leadership Role at Papa John's

NFTragedy · 2026-02-15T15:13:33+00:00

Papa John's International has appointed Ravi Thanawala as Chief Financial Officer and President of North America, enhancing leadership to boost profitability. The restructuring includes significant changes in executive roles, aiming to replicate international growth success in North America.

NFTragedy

2026-02-15 15:13:33

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Papa John’s International has unveiled significant executive changes, elevating Ravi Thanawala to the position of Chief Financial Officer and President overseeing North America operations. The restructuring, which takes effect immediately, reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening leadership across its core markets. Thanawala’s expanded mandate encompasses restaurant operations, market development strategies, and comprehensive financial oversight of the North American division—a crucial market for the international quick-service restaurant chain.

Building on Strong Performance in International Markets

Ravi Thanawala brings substantial credentials to this promotion, having recently steered Papa John’s International division through a period of sustained growth. Most notably, the company achieved four consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth in its international operations, with performance improving sequentially throughout this period. His interim tenure as Chief Executive Officer from March through August 2024 further demonstrated his strategic capabilities and operational acumen. The decision to place him at the helm of North America reflects confidence in his ability to replicate this success across the company’s largest geographic market.

Organizational Changes and New Leadership Structure

The restructuring also includes the departure of Joe Sieve, who served as Chief Restaurant and Global Development Officer. Additionally, Chris Lyn-Sue has been advanced to Senior Vice President and General Manager of International Operations, shifting from his previous role overseeing international market expansion. Both Ravi Thanawala and Lyn-Sue will report directly to CEO Todd Penegor, streamlining decision-making processes and ensuring clear accountability across the organization’s principal business segments. These changes underscore Papa John’s strategic focus on driving profitability and market penetration in both North American and international territories.

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