After speaking with Papa John's franchisees, Longbow analyst Alton Stump estimates that the company's U.S. system-wide comp sales have risen 2.5%-3% so far this quarter, versus the consensus outlook of a 2.2% increase. The analyst says that comp sales were boosted by the company's expanded partnership with MLB and its two medium, two topping pizzas for $6.99 each promotion. Stump is now more confident that the company is recovering from its weaker than expected domestic comp performance in late 2016 and early 2017. He expects it to continue to gain share and keeps a $95 price target and a Buy rating on the stock.