Spanish pizza giant Telepizza and the bakery chain Christine have signed a letter of intent to set up a joint venture for their expansion in the Chinese market, with each party owning a 50% stake.

Myles Felt, vice president for international operation of the pizza restaurant chain Papa John's, said during a recent Chinese media interview that the company plans to double the number of its restaurants in China in three years, increasing from the current 155 to 300 restaurants.

Papa John's, the pizza restaurant chain, has announced plans to open its first central China restaurant in Wuhan in mid-December 2008.

Papa John's has opened its world's biggest restaurant in Guangzhou and the company plans to open 500 new restaurants in China in the coming five years.