American franchise closes in Kyrgyzstan

The American pizza chain Papa John's is completely ceasing operations in Kyrgyzstan. The closure has also been announced in Kazakhstan. This was reported by Kazakh media, citing a statement by restaurateur Daniyar Monolbaev, whose companies were master franchisees of the brand in two Central Asian countries.

According to the businessman, the decision to exit the market was unavoidable. For a long time, the chain has been facing a decline in revenue amid rising operating costs. All available funds were directed towards priority obligations — the payment of salaries, taxes, rent and partial debt repayment.

In Kyrgyzstan, as Monolbaev noted, the process of closing down the business is also accompanied by legal procedures. The remaining obligations are being settled in stages within the legal framework, which takes time. Thus, Papa John's is finally leaving the Kyrgyz market, ending several years of presence in the catering segment.