John Schnatter
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| John Schnatter | |
| Born | August 16, 1962 Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Businessman, entrepreneur, spokesman |
John H. Schnatter, better known as "Papa John", (born August 16, 1962) is the founder, chairman, and former CEO of Papa John's International, Inc. He founded the company in 1984. [1] He is also spokesman for Papa John's. Schnatter lives in Anchorage, Kentucky.[citation needed]
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[edit] Biography
Born in Jeffersonville, Indiana he started work in the pizza business during high school, at the age of 15, where he worked as a student at Rocky's Sub Pub. [1] He obtained a degree in business administration from Ball State University in 1983 while practicing his trade at the local Greek's Pizzeria.[2] In 1984, aged 22, he expanded the kitchen at his father's bar, Mick's Lounge, where he began his own pizza business.[1] Today, there are almost 3,000 restaurants with the name Papa John's worldwide.
Schnatter appears in many Papa John's commercials. Schnatter usually ends his commercials with his familiar mantra, "Better ingredients, better pizza, Papa John's". On April 26, 2007 Schnatter was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame, the youngest person to be inducted to date.[3] Schnatter also has been awarded by being one of the Outstanding Young Americans for 2000 by the National Jaycees and 1998 National Ernst & Young Retail/Consumer Entrepreneur of The Year. He is also co-founder of Calistoga Bakery.[citation needed]
By May 2007 he stepped down as the CEO of Papa John's to serve only as the chairman of the board of directors.[3] In this move he would remain as a spokesman for the company with no cash compensation, just stock options.[citation needed]
[edit] Financial donations
Schnatter has made several donations to help boost the Louisville area. His business has the naming rights to Louisville's Papa John's Cardinal Stadium used by the University of Louisville's football team. On August 28, 2007, he made a $10 million pledge toward a stadium expansion.[citation needed]
Schnatter made a million-dollar contribution to the Louisville Zoo's Glacier Run expansion.[4] In addition to his major contributions his Calistoga Bakery sponsors a bike team and donated money to build bike trails.
On May 28, 2009 Schnatter was announced as Honorary Chair of the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Louisville's Norton Cancer Institute. Schnatter will be riding in the two day cycling event that goes from Louisville to Lexington and back.[5]
