A total of 43 of its 450 locations across the country have been found to be "low-performing" or "underperforming" and are said to no longer be financially viable.

The sites will be closed by mid-May, Papa John's said - after it informs impacted staff.

The company would not say how many jobs are to be lost; how many people work at the locations; nor the number of staff it employs across the UK.

"Our priority is our team members, who will be fully supported throughout this process," Chris Phylactou, the managing director at Papa Johns UK said.

"Our goal is to work with impacted team members and attempt to find redeployment opportunities where available."

The move, Mr Phylactou said, will allow Papa John's to invest in "the right locations with the right partners".

"We are focused on driving shared profitable growth across our UK restaurants, by continuing to make improvements to our business to ensure that we are well positioned for the future.

"We have been encouraged by the results so far from these initiatives," he added.

Sales of more than £1bn were recorded globally by the company in the final three months of 2023.

The pizza chain said it has increased investment in product innovation, training and technology, and research and technology in the UK to improve customer experience.

New outlets in "large retail partners", beyond traditional stores, will be announced "in the coming months", it said.

Papa John's is a United States-based company and the world's third largest pizza delivery firm.

The company aims to close branches in the following locations:

Barnsley
Bebington
Bexhill
Billericay
Bromley
Coulsdon
Cricklewood
Darlington
Doncaster
Durham
East Dulwich
East Grinstead
Eastbourne
Hailsham
Harringay
Harrogate
Hendon
Horsham
Lancaster
Leeds - Meanwood
Liverpool - West
Derby
Middlesbrough
Mottingham (London)
Northwood Hills
Peacehaven
Peckham
Penge
Putney
Redhill
Rochdale
Rotherham
Ruislip
Runcorn
Scunthorpe
Sittingbourne
Southport
St Helens
Stoke Newington
Tunbridge Wells
Upminster
Watford St Albans
Whitton
Wimbledon