LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, U.S. — The first Papa John’s location in the Netherlands should open this summer under a restaurant development agreement announced March 17. A consortium of five Papa John’s franchisees in the U.K., led by Tony Kalsi, has the exclusive development rights.

The entry into the Netherlands is part of Papa John’s strategy to expand in Europe. Papa John’s International has 320 restaurants in the U.K. and soon will open restaurants in Spain and France. The Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.-based company is looking for potential franchisees in Belgium, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.

“We now have close to 4,900 restaurants in 40 countries and territories, including over 1,500 internationally, and we are very proud to add The Netherlands as our newest country,” said Tim O’Hern, senior vice-president and chief development officer of Papa John’s International, Inc.