US-Iran war threatens energy supplies, sending domestic gas prices soaring
Gas prices have soared after a joint operation between the United States and Israel disrupted the supply chain for crude oil, the main raw material for gasoline.
As gas prices remain high across the U.S. and customers feel financial pressure due to the Iran war, one fast food chain is offering some relief.
Papa John’s is offering customers the opportunity to earn restaurant rewards when ordering carryout that can be applied as a discount on subsequent orders, the pizza chain announced April 2. The program, dubbed “Pizza Miles,” aims to help customers get takeout gas reimbursed through a rewards system.
The program is set to run through the end of this week, so here’s what you need to know about refunds from Papa John’s.
What is Papa John’s new gas program?
Members of the chain’s rewards program, Papa Rewards, can opt-in to Pizza Miles from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5. Once opted in, members will receive $4 in Papa Dough, Papa John’s redeemable reward currency, when they place a to-go order of $10 or more through the chain’s app or website.
“If you choose takeout, we are choosing to reward you for it,” Lindsey Adams, Papa John’s vice president of customer marketing and media, said in a news release. “Pizza Miles offers our most loyal Papa Rewards members the true value of Papa Dough by simply getting the pizza they already love.”
Customers can join Papa John’s Rewards Program for free by signing up through the Papa John’s app or website. Typically, for every $10 spent, customers earn a $1 Papadeau that can be used toward future orders.
“Papa Daws are valid for 14 days and can be redeemed on future orders through the Papa John’s app, giving fans an easy way to turn today’s ambition into tomorrow’s value,” the news release states.
As gasoline prices soar, other companies also offer discounts
DoorDash also launched a financial relief program in response to soaring gas prices across the United States.
The delivery service’s new program will offer 10% cash back to DoorDashers who fill up on gas, including those with DoorDash cards. Dashers who drive more than 125 miles during their dash will also receive weekly relief payments, the company said in a release.
Dashers eligible for both cashback and relief payments can save between $1.40 and $1.90 per gallon based on mileage while actively completing deliveries within a week, according to the release.
Gasoline prices soar as Iran war continues
The US and Israel’s war against Iran has put pressure on gas stations since attacks began in late February. Consumers have seen prices rise by $1 over the past month as the US, Israel and Iran enter a new phase in their ongoing war, with oil and gas becoming a key target for both sides.
Much of the pressure stems from Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a 160-mile waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Strait of Hormuz transports 20% of the world’s oil traffic and approximately 20% of the world’s seaborne liquefied natural gas.
Negotiations continue between Iranian and U.S. officials, with President Donald Trump saying on March 26 that Iranian authorities had allowed 10 “large oil vessels” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a show of good faith during back-channel negotiations with the United States. But consumers still find prices high, with the national gas average at $4.081 as of April 2, AAA reports.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
