Business

Papa John’s Pizza opening in Riverhead

Papa John's in Riverhead
BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | Craig Viana, owner of Viana Signs of Oceanside, installing a Papa John’s sign Friday morning at the East Main Street location.

Papa John’s Pizza will be coming soon to downtown Riverhead.

Franchise co-owners Sean LaValle of Selden and Alfred Fico of Manorville are just awaiting the OK from the Suffolk County health department and are hoping to open May 16, about a week before the busy Memorial Day weekend.

The business partners chose Riverhead because, they found, a lot of people in the area know about Papa John’s but never tasted the product, Mr. LaValle said.

Mr. LaValle is familiar with Riverhead, having graduated from Mercy High School in 1984.

The two have hired staff for the storefront but are still looking to hire delivery drivers. The delivery jobs pay $9 an hour and $1 per pizza delivered, plus tips.

The shop is located in the same building that houses aBlue Duck Bakery Cafe and a Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices.

There are about 4,200 Papa John’s franchises in every state in the U.S. and 35 countries, according to the pizza company’s website.

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