Welcome Break has teamed up with pizza delivery franchise Papa John’s to open 13 pizza outlets across its 29-strong network of motorway service stations. It is also adding additional outlets but would not specify how many.

“We trialled Papa John’s earlier this year in Fleet and Oxford and were delighted with the results,” said Welcome Break chief executive Rod McKie. “Since mid-October we have opened two stores a week and plan to open further outlets in the New Year.”

“Welcome Break has a footfall of around 80 million people a year,” explained Dave Galvin, UK franchise sales manager, Papa John’s. “We are delighted that such a trusted brand has recognised the quality of Papa John’s pizza and selected the franchise to be rolled out within multiple outlets.

“We are keen to grow the number of Papa John’s stores throughout the UK and our deal with Welcome Break is part of this strategy. For our existing franchisees, the increased brand awareness Papa John’s will gain will also further support their businesses throughout the country.”

Papa John’s now has outlets at Welcome Break services located in Abington Scotland, Gretna Green, Keele, Hopwood Park, Gordano, Leicester Forest East, South Mimms, Cobham, Oxford, Fleet, Warwick North, Warwick South and Corley.

Papa John’s is the world’s third largest pizza chain, with about 4,000 stores across 33 countries, and it has 208 stores in the UK.