A US pizza chain has shut their doors in Macclesfield, but it could be temporary.

Papa Johns have closed their Macclesfield store with immediate effect.

It is not known how many jobs have been lost with the closure of the Park Green takeaway pizzeria.

As well as their physical premises, customers are now unavailable to order from Macclesfield online, with Wilmslow being the nearest store.

Calling their Macclesfield landline during opening hours (01625 617070) also just kept on ringing. The Macclesfield store's Facebook page has been inactive since January 8.

BirminghamLive have also reported that their other Cheshire East store in Crewe has closed, along with six other UK stores. They indicate that it could be a temporary closure, as a new owner is sought for the failing franchises.

Macclesfield Nub News sought to verify these claims. Papa Johns Head Office, and the Macclesfield store were emailed by Macclesfield Nub News for comment.

A Papa Johns spokesperson said, "Papa Johns prides itself on providing quality ingredients and a better customer experience across all its locations throughout the UK."

Papa Johns, located next to Alfred's bar on 22 Park Green. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"We are committed to delivering consistency to our loyal fans, and it's what they have come to expect.

"Unfortunately, not all of our restaurants are meeting our expectations, which is why we've made the tough decision to temporarily close our stores in the Northwest until we find new ownership.

"We are very grateful to all our team members and look forward to seeing our loyal customers again soon."

Those who are interested in becoming a potential new owner of Papa Johns in Macclesfield, can click HERE.

Macclesfield has a highly-competitive pizza market. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Papa Johns had 524 stores in the UK before today's news. A report by The Mirror, at the start of this year hinted that 100 Papa John stores could close across the country.

Unique pizzas on their menu includes a Greek-style pizza, vegan BBQ 'chicken' pizza, and the quesadilla-pizza fusion 'Papadillas'. (See video.)

Papa Johns are the second pizza chain to have shut in Macclesfield in recent years, with Pizza Hut on Waters Green also going under.

Despite this, independent pizzerias are continuing to thrive in Macclesfield, with autumn 2022 seeing Honest Crust open The Depot on Chestergate.

Whilst there is the possibility of Papa Johns reopening under a new owner, the latest news now means that Dominos is the only one of the 'Big Three' American pizza chains still in Macclesfield. (Image - Domino's of Churchill Way by Macclesfield Nub News)

Another new indie pizzeria Wood Fire Smoke, opened in Macclesfield in Winter 2022, which then spurred them on to open their fourth site in Macclesfield's nearby town of Congleton. Last month, a new Italian restaurant which serves pizza opened on Mill Street.

Furthermore, pre-existing Macclesfield businesses started offering pizzas on their menu in 2023, like Chestergate's Nomas Gastrobar or Bollington's The Spinners Arms.

Macclesfield has a highly-competitive pizza market. And it appears from the 'Big Three' US pizza chains - when it comes to Macclesfield - only Dominos currently remains.