LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville staple Papa John's is opening a new global headquarters in Atlanta, moving some of its operations to the new location. But what does that mean for the city where Papa John's was born?

Papa John's says a majority of employees will remain in Louisville with IT, supply chain, and legal teams staying at the current headquarters and menu innovation, marketing, customer experience, HR, diversity, equity and inclusion, communications, and development functions will make the move to Atlanta. Papa John's also has a headquarters office outside London, UK, where international operations are managed.

Papa John’s spokesperson Jeff Matthews says that the new global HQ is an expansion of the company and is not a retreat out of Louisville.

He said that the current Louisville corporate employees who’s departments are affected will have a choice to either relocate to Atlanta or a voluntary severance package.

Matthews says that Papa John’s will still be hiring for positions in Louisville including the IT the company’s largest single department. Papa John’s says the Louisville headquarters remains essential to the company’s success and look forward to continuing to be a great corporate partner in Kentucky.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said, "Papa John’s renaissance is impressive, and we congratulate them on their growth. Though some of their jobs are moving to Atlanta, Papa John’s President & CEO Rob Lynch has emphasized that Louisville, as the largest of three corporate headquarters, is positioned to benefit from future growth - and the company will continue to be a strong partner for once city. We welcome that!”

The Atlanta location is part of Papa John's broader reorganization of corporate functions. The new headquarters and related organizational changes are expected to be done by the summer of 2021, and the move will not affect Papa John's company-owned or franchised stores or its nationwide network of quality control centers.

“Shortly after setting a new strategic direction for Papa John’s late last year, we began to assess the optimal corporate organization to support our restaurants and our brand’s long-term growth,” said Rob Lynch, president & CEO. “With strong momentum and our potential expanding every day, we are investing in capabilities for future innovation and global growth, improving efficiencies, and better aligning our organization around the strategies that are driving our near- and long-term success.”

GLI (Greater Louisville Inc.) said in a statement, "GLI congratulates Papa John’s on their ability to pursue growth opportunities and we are encouraged to see the company maintain some of their corporate operations in Louisville. Papa John’s is a valued business leader in our community, and we look forward to our continued partnership in advancing our city. As Greater Louisville moves into an economic recovery, we must remain focused on aggressive efforts to support our existing industries.”

Lynch said the move will accelerate the company's growth.

Lynch continued, “We’re thrilled to open a headquarters office in such an energetic and diverse region. Metro Atlanta’s deep talent pool and its world-class airport connecting us to the domestic and international markets that are key to our brand’s future will accelerate our long-term growth. Atlanta is also our largest corporate-owned restaurant market and the location of our newest and most sophisticated QCC. The Louisville headquarters – Papa John’s home for 36 years – remains essential to the company’s success and we look forward to continuing to be a great corporate partner in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

Papa John's is talking with different potential office locations in Atlanta. The selection process is expected to be complete by the end of 2020.

Papa John’s Chief People and Diversity Officer Marvin Boakye called these changes a milestone for the company.

“These changes to our corporate structure and team mark another milestone in Papa John’s ongoing transformation into a more innovative brand with a culture that is focused on diversity, inclusion and winning," he said.

John Schnatter started Papa John's in Louisville in 1984. It is currently the third largest pizza delivery company in the country.