Like many college towns, Ames has a competitive pizza market, and with the slogan “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza,” Papa John’s is striving to earn its place as a favorite among Iowa State students.

The franchise, which officially opened in Ames on Aug. 6, already has stores in other Iowa college towns, including Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls/Waterloo.

Dan Kindig, manager of Papa John’s, said there are currently 12 Papa John’s franchises in Iowa, and there are almost 2,000 stores across the country.

Todd Vander Peut, designated manager of Papa John’s, 3335 Lincoln Way, worked at the Cedar Rapids franchise for more than a year. Vander Peut said business has been going well at the new Ames location, but he expects it to pick up once classes resume on Monday.

“Ames is a really good pizza market,” Vander Peut said. “There’s no better place than a college town.”

Kindig also believes business will continue to grow. “It’s catching on real fast,” he said.

Papa John’s offers small, large and extra-large pizzas, breadsticks and cheesesticks. Vander Peut said Papa John’s has more than 15 choices of pizza toppings, including Italian sausage, pepperoni and pineapple.

“Papa John’s is the fastest-growing pizza chain,” Kindig said. “We specialize just in pizza; no sandwiches or anything because we want to do one thing and do it really well.”

Vander Peut said prices will vary since Papa John’s will be holding various specials, including a carry-out special of a large one-topping pizza for $5.99 on Mondays and Tuesdays. He said Papa John’s is also considering running a Sunday night special, since it is a night residence halls do not serve dinner.

“We have so many coupons out there,” Kindig said.

He added that Pappa John’s has another pizza deal allowing a customer to get an additional small pizza for $5, large pizza for $6 or extra-large pizza for $7 after purchasing a large one-topping pizza for regular price.

Vander Peut, who has worked for several other pizza restaurants, said he rates Papa John’s above the rest because of its quality.

“It’s the best pizza out here, for the money — not even for the money. It’s the best pizza, in my opinion,” he said.

Papa John’s is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Delivery is free.