Mizuho Cuts Papa John's (PZZA) Target as Part of Restaurant Industry Outlook

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) is included among the 13 Most Promising Long-Term Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

On February 20, Mizuho analyst Nick Setyan lowered the price recommendation on Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) to $34 from $40. He reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The update came as part of a broader earnings preview for companies in the restaurant sector.

Earlier in January, Papa John’s announced a major overhaul of its digital ordering system. The goal is to improve speed, accuracy, and personalization for its more than 150 million customers worldwide. The company partnered with Google Cloud to introduce new AI-driven ordering capabilities.

Papa John’s became the first partner to use Google Cloud’s expanded AI solution, called Food Ordering agent. This system allows the company to offer a unified voice and text ordering experience. It is designed to reduce friction and create a smoother process for customers across different ordering channels. The Food Ordering agent is part of Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience. This platform connects commerce and customer service through an AI-driven system. It allows customers to interact with the brand more efficiently, whether they place orders online, through mobile apps, or over the phone.

The platform also supports voice AI agents across multiple channels, including websites, kiosks, and in-car systems. By adopting this technology early, Papa John’s is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven customer experience in the restaurant industry.

Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZA) operates and franchises pizza delivery and carryout restaurants. In some international markets, it also runs dine-in and delivery locations under the Papa John’s brand.

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