Check out Papa John’s countering U.S. pizza sector woes by continuing its global expansion and announcing plans to open more locations in Canada.

Last month, at the Reuters Food Summit in Chicago, Papa John’s CEO Nigel Travis said the pizza industry was under more pressure than it was at the beginning of the year.

“I personally think we are in a recession,” Travis told the Summit, adding that U.S. consumers are increasingly concerned about the economy.

To offset struggles in the U.S. market, Travis talked of Papa John’s international growth potential, and on Monday the world’s third-largest pizza company said it had signed development deals to open 57 additional Papa John’s restaurants throughout Canada. 

“Canada is a key focus area for our international expansion,” said David Flanery, Papa John’s chief financial officer and managing director, international. 

There are currently 14 Papa John’s restaurants open throughout Western Canada. The chain has more than 3,200 locations open worldwide, including 450 international restaurants in 28 countries.

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(Photo: Nigel Travis speaks during the Reuters Food Summit in Chicago March 18)