Atlanta is getting a one-day experiment that blends gym culture with comfort food as Papa Johns prepares to test a protein-heavy pizza concept. On Wednesday, January 21, the company will drop its Protein Pizza exclusively for Papa Rewards members in the city, with availability limited and quantities capped.
The pizza swaps standard crust for dough infused with whey protein, signaling a shift in how major chains are thinking about indulgent staples. Two versions will be offered. The Meats layers sausage and pepperoni over a six-cheese combination made up of mozzarella, provolone, fontina, asiago, parmesan, and romano. That build totals 55 grams of protein per pie. The Veggie option uses the same cheese blend but adds mushrooms, green peppers, and onions, coming in at 49 grams of protein.
This limited release lands as national chains race to meet growing demand for protein-forward options. Starbucks recently expanded its menu with Protein Lattes and Protein Cold Foams, allowing customers to add 15 grams of protein to select drinks in flavors ranging from vanilla to matcha.
Dunkin’ has taken a similar approach, rolling out Protein Milk substitutions and seasonal protein beverages, including a mango refresher created with Megan Thee Stallion.
Whether the pizza sticks or stays a test run, Atlanta gets first dibs on a slice built for macros, not just cravings.
