Apollo and Irth Capital made an offer to buy Papa John's, sources say

By Abigail Summerville

NEW YORK, June 11 (Reuters) - Apollo Global Management APO.N and Irth Capital Management have approached Papa John's International PZZA.O for a deal that would take the U.S. pizza chain private, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The investment firms' joint bid would value Papa John's, the world's third-largest pizza delivery company, just above $60 per share, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the deal is private.

Semafor reported Apollo and Irth's bid for the company earlier on Wednesday.

Papa John's declined to comment. Apollo and Irth did not immediately respond to requests for comment.