COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew is pleased to announce new corporate partnerships with Papa John’s Pizza of Central Ohio and hometown White Castle restaurants. Both restaurants’ products will be offered at Crew Stadium concessions starting with the Crew’s Opening Match against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 16.



“We’re thrilled to welcome these valuable community partners to the Columbus Crew family,” said Crew Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Chris Previte. “Both Papa John’s and White Castle are well-recognized brands with highly respected food offerings that will now be available to fans of the Black & Gold at every home match. Additionally, they are active partners in our community and are excited about engaging with Crew fans in new and innovative ways.”



Papa John’s becomes the official pizza of the Columbus Crew and Crew Stadium, and will be sold in its own permanent in-stadium concession stand – located in the southeast corner of the main concourse – and in-stadium concession sales at southwest & northeast stadium stands. White Castle hamburgers will be offered on the Crew Stadium plaza as well as in the southwest and northeast concession stands.



“We are extremely excited to enter into this multi-year partnership with our Columbus Crew,” said Charles Burris, Operating Partner and Franchisee for Papa John’s Pizza in Central Ohio. “This marks the second professional sports partnership in Columbus along with the Blue Jackets, and our organization is ready to kick it off with exciting promotions and a lot of fun for the fans of the Crew.”



Based in Columbus, White Castle is pleased to partner with Ohio’s Major League Soccer club.



"White Castle is excited to partner with the Crew, and especially proud to be serving our one-of-a-kind steam-grilled goodness of White Castle hamburgers and cheeseburgers," stated White Castle's Regional Director of Restaurant Operations, Chris Shaffery. "With our home office right here in Columbus, it's going to be a kick to bring two great Columbus traditions together."



A charter member of Major League Soccer, the Columbus Crew is entering its 18th season of play in 2013. The Black & Gold begin regular season play on March 2 in Carson, Calif. against Chivas USA. The club’s first home match of 2013 is March 16 when the Crew takes on defending MLS Supporters’ Shield winners, the San Jose Earthquakes, at 5:30 p.m. ET.





ABOUT PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA OF CENTRAL OHIO

Johncol, Inc. is based in Columbus with 23 franchise restaurants headed up by Franchisee Allen Hertzman and Operating Partner Charles Burris. Hertzman opened his first Papa John’s Restaurant on Bethel Road in 1991. Since then Johncol has expanded in the greater Columbus area including locations in Delaware, Marion, Mansfield and Newark/Heath. Papa John’s of Central Ohio is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena.



ABOUT PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world's third largest pizza company. For 11 of the past 13 years, consumers have rated Papa John's No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John's also earned the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Pizza Brand of the Year. Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John's at http://www.papajohns.com .



ABOUT WHITE CASTLE

White Castle is a family-owned business based in Columbus, Ohio, that owns and operates more than 400 restaurants in 12 states. The company was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921 and is America’s first fast-food hamburger chain. All White Castle Sliders are made from 100 percent USDA inspected beef. White Castle’s commitment to maintaining the highest quality products extends to the company owning and operating its own meat processing plants and bakeries. White Castle’s new loyalty program, Craver Nation, connects like-minded Cravers from around the globe in a social media setting. For more information on White Castle and Craver Nation, visit whitecastle.com and cravernation.whitecastle.com.