On the non-traditional end, the company is in talks with SixFlags theme parks about a possible partnership, said Nigel Travis,Papa John's president and chief operating officer. Expansion intourban areas will help the company grow in markets like Chicago,Detroit and Los Angeles, he said, as well as Philadelphia, wherethe firm recently bought out 15 franchises and plans to open 20 newunits within the next four to five years. "We believe this newinitiative can help us penetrate certain markets that have beenvery difficult for us," Travis said.

Internationally, Papa John's will focus on continued growth inChina, India, Mexico, South Korea and the United Kingdom.Executives expect China, with 27 units, to grow to well beyond 400restaurants. The pizza chain is also looking to expand its pipelinein Russia and other Eastern European countries. Meanwhile, thecompany is looking to sell a separate, 181-unit, UK-based chaincalled Perfect Pizza that it owns and franchises.

Domestic year-over-year same-store sales during the fourthquarter, which ended Dec. 25, were up 6.4%, with company-ownedunits rising 9.9% and franchised restaurants increasing 5.5%. PapaJohn's owns about 20% of its stores and franchises theremainder.