Papa John’s expands employee tuition benefits

Louisville, Ky. – Pizza chain Papa John’s is extending its Dough & Degrees tuition benefit to team members who work as few as 10 hours per week and offering them new ways to earn degrees and professional certifications at no cost to them.

Team members who work as few as 10 hours per week and have been employed for only 60 days at stores owned by Papa John’s can now earn a degree at no cost, the company said in a news release. More than 80 per cent of Dough & Degrees students are working on the front line in Papa John’s restaurants, and more than 60 team members have earned associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at no cost to them since the program launched in 2019.

Many graduates are now applying their education in new roles across the chain. Team members can also benefit from an expanded range of learning programs no matter when their formal education ended or what course of study they wish to pursue.

“At Papa Johns, ‘People First’ is one of our core values. That means helping our team members meet a broad range of needs – including equipping them for their future,” said Marvin Boakye, the company’s chief people and diversity officer. “These lowered eligibility requirements and expansion of education opportunities available will increase access to tuition benefits for more team members while embracing their many different backgrounds and experiences.”

New educational programs include career online high school, academic and guidance coaches, English as a Second Language and new professional certificate programs.

EdAssist by Bright Horizons will help administer the newly expanded program.

In October Papa John’s will open its 200th restaurant in Canada.