Papa John's Pizza has returned to University City after a 10-month hiatus.
The pizzeria opened in a newly renovated space at 40th and Chestnut streets last Saturday.
It left its previous location at 3943 Chestnut St. last May.
Papa John's manager Walt Cordes said that business "has been good and solid," adding that "it's nice to see some people stuck with us."
Cordes said that, to attract more customers, the eatery will offer walk-in specials to college students next week to celebrate its grand opening.
The 40th and Chestnut streets location is completely new and features an advanced pizza oven that can cook a pizza in less than five minutes, he said.
It is the only Papa John's in the area to use such technology, Cordes added.
But despite its state-of-the-art interior, the outside of the building isn't as polished yet.
The facade isn't complete because the signage for the front of the restaurant hasn't yet arrived, Cordes said.
Meanwhile, other nearby pizzerias must deal with the competition.
Papa John's is located close to both Allegro Pizza and College Pizza, two well-established eateries near campus.
Thomas Loy, who works at College Pizza, said he predicts Papa John's will take away some of his business "simply because they're there."
He added, however, that he expects the impact won't be too severe because College Pizza is "not an off-the-shelf kind of pizza" and has been on campus for a long time.
College freshman Max Reibman said he would go to College Pizza or Allegro's over Papa John's because the latter two are closer to campus and offer better-quality pizza.
"I don't think that Papa John's adds significantly to campus dining options," he said.
Cordes said the new University City branch is the first of "many new stores on the Philadelphia market."
Another Papa John's might open soon at the intersection of Broad and South streets, said Fran Trioli, manager of the Center City Papa John's located at 21st and Market streets.
