Papa Johns is elevating the pizza experience with a new innovation and it’s causing serious FOMO in the US.
Imagine the buttery, flaky layers of croissant meeting the melty cheese and sizzling toppings of pizza. Now, stop imagining because it’s actually real! The catch? This peak pizza innovation from Papa Johns is only available overseas, and we’re not okay.
On June 10, 2025, Papa Johns announced the global launch of their latest innovation, the all-new Croissant Pizza! That’s right, the delicate, flakey, and buttery croissant can now be enjoyed with the bold flavors of Papa Johns’ pizza. This new menu item brings to life the brand’s Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.® promise, with an emphasis on quality, craft, and innovation.
The Croissant Pizza is making its first appearance in the UAE, but it will be launched in nine markets, from Korea and China to Chile and Peru. As per the brand, the new pizza features a buttery, braided, and gloriously flaky crust that gives a crisp, light, and layered bite. It can be customized with a choice of toppings to create flavor combos that are anything but ordinary.
You’re probably wondering what pushed Papa Johns to unite two iconic food options in one product. Well, according to the brand’s SVP Managing Director of International, Chris Lyn-Sue, they’re always looking to global food culture for inspiration. After seeing the success of croissant mashups like “cronut” and “crookie,” they thought of bringing the same innovation to pizza. The company also conducted an extensive research to find out what consumers wanted from their next innovation; Croissant Pizza received high marks across all markets.
Papa Johns’ Couture-Inspired Hot Bag
Of course, an expertly crafted Croissant Pizza deserves to be delivered in a hot bag that’s as bold as the pizza itself. That’s why, Papa Johns partnered with fashion disruptor KidSuper to design a limited-edition hot bag inspired by the craftmanship of Croissant Pizza. The bag’s woven strap will remind you of the pizza’s tightly braided crust. Its zipper also curves in a crescent shape, while the soft edges mimic the pastry’s fluffy folds.
The Papa Johns x KidSuper Hot Bag will make its debut later this month at the Paris Fashion Week during his Spring/Summer 2026 runway show. Aside from runways, the Papa Johns x KidSuper Hot Bag will hit exhibitions and beaches in select markets. Lucky customers in these areas who order the Croissant Pizza may receive their delivery in the exclusive hot bag and it’s theirs to keep.
More New Releases from Papa Johns
While it’s true that the Croissant Pizza isn’t in the US…yet (we’re not losing hope), there are other new items from Papa Johns that are worthy of our attention. Want something extra cheesy? Or maybe extra-large slices? Papa Johns got you covered with these offerings.
New Cheddar Crust Pizza
For a limited-time, you can find the new Cheddar Crust Pizza on Papa Johns menus! This crust option is made with a blend of aged cheddar cheese and garlic and herb seasoning baked onto the edge of Papa Johns’ Original Crust. Along with the Cheddar Crust Pizza, you can also get the new Cheddar Cheesesticks. This item is made with a 10-inch round of hand-tossed dough topped with seasoned cheddar cheese and then baked to perfection.
The Cheddar Crust Pizza with one topping costs $12.99, while an order of Cheddar Cheesesticks is priced at $9.19. Prices may vary by location.
Shaq-a-Roni Pizza Is Back!
Get ready for more cheese, more pepperoni, and more value. Yup, the Shaq-a-Roni Pizza is back for a limited time! This pizza option is created by and named after Shaquille O’Neal, NBA’s basketball legend and Papa Johns’ franchisee. The Shaq-a-Roni Pizza is an extra large pizza with more than half a pound of cheese and extra pepperoni. Don’t miss out on the eight foldable slices of this fresh, never frozen original pizza dough!
Take note that the Shaq-a-Roni Pizza has more pepperoni than the brand’s Large 1-Topping Pizza. Plus, the oversized, foldable slices are perfect for sharing at game nights, parties, or any occasion. While the Shaq-a-Roni Pizza comes with extra cheese and extra pepperoni, you can customize it with additional toppings or remove some to suit your taste.
RELATED: Five Years in the Making: Chipotle’s New Ranch Dip Is Finally Here
Other Returning Menu Items Worth Checking Out
Since we’ve already started talking about returning menu items, here are more grand comebacks that you shouldn’t miss! A cheeseburger like no other is back and it’s got MVP-worthy vibes. And for lovers of all things sweet, there’s a returning treat that screams summer.
Red Robin’s Buzzer Beater Cheeseburger
Just in time for NBA Finals, Red Robin brought back the Buzzer Beater Cheeseburger! This fan-favorite burger can be enjoyed as a “three-pointer,” with three patties, four strips of bacon, six slices of American cheese, and Red’s Secret Tavern Sauce™. There’s also a “two-pointer” variation, which comes with two patties and other burger fixings. This isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re up for the challenge, act fast because the Buzzer Beater Cheeseburger will be here until June 13 only!
Nothing Bundt Cakes’ Key Lime Bundtlet
Now, for a sweet finish, check out Nothing Bundt Cakes‘ latest offering this summer. Key Lime is back with a twist, and it’s available until June 22, while supplies last. The Key Lime Bundtlet is filled and topped with butter graham streusel; it’s a sweet and tart cake that’s also drizzled with a refreshing lime glaze. This pop-up flavor is available as an individual bundtlet, triple, double, and single bundtlet towers, and bundtlet bundle.
RELATED: Score These Father’s Day Fast Food Deals and Freebies This 2025
From The Club
Papa Johns is really serious when it comes to pizza innovation, and I’m here for it! Too bad their new Croissant Pizza isn’t in the US. But if you ever have plans to visit the countries where the new pizza is headed, you know what to do. I guess, I’ll just settle for the Shaq-a-Roni Pizza for now; it’s not a bad choice at all to be honest. Extra cheese + extra pepperoni + extra large slices = pizza heaven! 😍