Papa John’s International Inc. (PZZA) has launched a set of computer desktop widgets – clickable pop-up boxes – that will stream advertisements about product discounts and allow customers to order pizza online.

The new “myPapa” widgets can be downloaded from the company website. They will provide online coupons that are restaurant-specific, said Louisville-based Papa John’s in a news release. The widgets also provide access to the Papa John’s menu, nutritional facts, restaurant locator and catering menu. Customers can also purchase gift cards through the online widgets.

The company, citing an eMarketer survey, said that widgets are used by many of the 69 million adults and 15 million teens who use social networking sites. “Having recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in online sales, we strive to continue offering digital innovations that make our customers’ lives easier,” Jim Ensign, Papa John’s president of marketing and communications, said in the release. “MyPapa is our latest convenience innovation for customers; a convenient and non-intrusive application that allows for quick and easy ordering, tailored to each individual’s preference.”

The addition of Papa John’s widgets is the latest salvo in the ongoing pizza war between Papa John’s and Pizza Hut Inc., a subsidiary of Louisville-based Yum Brands Inc. (YUM). Pizza Hut yesterday announced that it, too, has launched a downloadable widget, the “Pizza Hut Shortcut”.

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