John Schnatter: Difference between revisions
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'''John H. Schnatter''', better known as " |
'''John H. Schnatter''', better known to his high school buds as "The Big Shat", (born August 16, 1962) is the [[Entrepreneur|founder]], [[chairman]], and former [[CEO]] of [[Papa John's]] International, Inc. He founded the company in 1984. |
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<ref name="bio">[http://www.papajohns.com/pj_story/ The story of Papa John's]</ref> He is also [[spokesman]] for Papa John's. Schnatter lives in [[Anchorage, Kentucky]]. <ref>[http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/john-schnatters-house/ John Schnatter's House]</ref> |
<ref name="bio">[http://www.papajohns.com/pj_story/ The story of Papa John's]</ref> He is also [[spokesman]] for Papa John's. Schnatter lives in [[Anchorage, Kentucky]]. <ref>[http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/john-schnatters-house/ John Schnatter's House]</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:07, 5 April 2010
John Schnatter | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1962 |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, entrepreneur, spokesman |
John H. Schnatter, better known to his high school buds as "The Big Shat", (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. [2]
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.[3] While at Ball State University Schnatter served on the Division 1 Cardinals' practice squad as defensive back. He cites his experience in football as the reason he created the annual PapaJohn's.com college football bowl game.
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.[4] 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]
In 2005, he was involved in a cycling accident when he claims someone threw a large text book at him and his cycling partner. [1]
By May 2007 he stepped down as the CEO of Papa John's to serve only as the chairman of the board of directors.[4] In this move he would remain as a spokesman for the company with no cash compensation, just stock options.[citation needed]
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.[5] 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.[6]
The Camaro
In 1983, Schnatter sold his 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $2,800 USD to help finance the family business. On August 26th, 2009, he repurchased it for $250,000 USD. In celebration, Papa John's offered a free pizza to anyone who owned a Camaro. [7]
External links
References
- ^ a b c The story of Papa John's
- ^ John Schnatter's House
- ^ "Come to Papa"
- ^ a b John Schnatter Assumes New Role as Non-Employee Chairman of the Board
- ^ Whas11.com - Louisville Zoo's Glacier Run projects gets $1 million dollar gift February 6, 2008
- ^ Conquer Cancer website
- ^ Papa John's founder pays 250K for Camaro