Spin Cycle

Hungry? Don't go near this Web site.

By Jesse Hertstein

Order pizza online? Request franchise information via e-mail? Do both at the same site? Any company that plans to compete on a large scale is now expected to have its own Web site--and franchisors are no exception. Following these new rules of competition is Louisville, Kentucky-based Papa John's International Inc. We decided to take a look at the company's Web site. Here's what we uncovered:

At http://www.papajohns.com, you can find out just about anything you'd want to know about the pizza franchise. There's a menu that lists ingredients; an order form where participating restaurants allow you to order online; background information on the company; franchise information, including a Potential Franchisee Questionnaire; an employment listing; a store locator and even a financial report of Papa John's 1997 performance.

The links are well-organized and cross-referenced in a way that makes it easy to find what you're looking for. The graphics make for a colorful, eye-pleasing site that shouldn't be viewed on an empty stomach.

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This article was originally published in the April 1998 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Spin Cycle.