Matt Robles/Arizona Daily Wildcat From left, pre-business freshman Andrew Rusich, communication freshman Mitch Lederer and psychology freshman Curtis Fillmore dine in front of the future site of Papa John's pizza in the Student Union Memorial Center yesterday afternoon.

As a result of contract expiration, Papa John's pizza will replace Domino's pizza as the UA's official pizza provider.

The eight-year contract that Domino's held with the Student Union Memorial Center expired July 31, but new companies started bidding on the contract last February, said Dan Adams, student unions director.

Based on a series of evaluations such as taste tests, timing of delivery and problem-solving capability, Papa John's was declared the winner and awarded the new 10-year contract from the student union on June 1, Adams said.

Another factor that went into the decision was how Papa John's showed potential for a higher level of income for the university, Adams said.

The student union receives a guaranteed amount of money from Papa John's for a monthly lease payment at both the SUMC and Park Student Union. In addition, it receives a percentage of Papa Johns' sales, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The money is then put back into student union operations, Adams said.

"We're excited and we think they gave us a great proposal," Adams said. "Most of the students we talked to are very enthusiastic and like the idea of Papa John's."

Business Sophomore Matt Gipple said he ordered pizza about five times a week last year and is ready for something new.

"I think it's going to be good. I got pretty sick of Domino's last year," Gipple said. "Change will be nice."

Papa John's will offer many of the same features as Domino's including two on-campus locations, CatCard payment and delivery services within the specified boundary, from Main Street to Tucson Boulevard and Broadway Boulevard to Glenn Street.

"I like Papa John's a lot more than Domino's," said Morgan Zingsheim, a biochemistry sophomore. "Oh, the garlic sauce is so good."

Papa John's will also add certain features that Domino's did not, such as honoring all meal plan discounts and serving during breakfast hours.

The change is not costing the university any money because Papa John's agreed in the contract to rehabilitate the spaces in the unions at their own expense. They might spend anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 in that process, Adams said.

Papa John's will open today in both the SUMC and the Park Student Union.