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| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation = Former Chairman, [[Papa John's]]
| occupation = Former Chairman, [[Papa John's]]
| years_active = 1984–present
| years_active = 1984–2018
| party =
| party =
| spouse = {{marriage|Annette|1987}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Annette|1987}}

Revision as of 12:36, 12 July 2018

John Schnatter
Born
John H. Schnatter

(1961-11-22) November 22, 1961 (age 62)
Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesPapa John
Alma materBall State University[1]
Occupation(s)Former Chairman, Papa John's
Years active1984–2018
Spouse
Annette
​
(m. 1987)​
Children3

John H. Schnatter (born November 22, 1961), nicknamed commercially as Papa John, is an American entrepreneur who founded Papa John's Pizza.[4] Schnatter stepped down as CEO on January 1, 2018 and was succeeded by President and COO Steve Ritchie.[5][6] He stepped down as chairman of the board on July 11, 2018.[7]

Early life and education

Schnatter was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on November 22, 1961[8][9] to Mary and Robert Schnatter. He graduated from Jeffersonville High School, then earned a business degree from Ball State University in 1983.[1][9]

In the 1980s, John Schnatter's father co-owned Mick's Lounge, a tavern in Jeffersonville.[1]

Career

The Papa John's pizza business was founded in 1984 when "Papa" John Schnatter converted a broom closet in the back of his father's tavern.[9] Schnatter sold his 1971 Z28 Camaro to purchase $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and began selling pizzas to the tavern's customers.[10][11][12] His pizzas proved so popular that the following year he was able to move into an adjoining space. Today,[when?] the company is the third largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the world,[13][14] with headquarters in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, near Louisville.[15][16][17] On December 21, 2017, Schnatter announced he would step down as CEO of Papa John's amidst controversy over comments he made regarding the NFL not doing anything about players kneeling or sitting during the National Anthem.[18]

In October 2017, in a conference call with investors, Schnatter blamed the National Football League for poor financial performance, stating "The NFL has hurt us ... We are disappointed the NFL and its leadership did not resolve this," referring to the U.S. national anthem protests. Later that day, Papa John's announced that the NFL shield or "official sponsor" designation on Papa John's commercials and advertising would be removed.[19]

On December 21, 2017, Papa John's announced that Schnatter would be replaced as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2018 by Chief Operating Officer Steve Richie. Schnatter would still appear in the chain's commercials and on its pizza boxes, and was the company's biggest shareholder with approximately 9.5 million shares. He remained on the board.

On July 11, 2018, it was reported by various news outlets that he used the word "nigger" during a conference call with marketing agency Laundry Services, apparently to convey his dislike for racism. After the call, the owner of the marketing agency moved to end their contract with Papa John's.[20][21] Schnatter resigned as chairman of the board the same day the incident was reported.[7]

Personal life

Schnatter has been married to his wife, Annette, since 1987. The couple have three children. The Schnatter family resides in Anchorage, Kentucky.[9] Schnatter identifies as an Evangelical Christian and is a member of the Southeast Christian Church.[22]

In 1983, Schnatter sold his 1971 Chevrolet Camaro to help his father's struggling business. He used the leftover funds to start Papa John's. Decades later, he offered a reward of $250,000 for finding the car, and on August 26, 2009, Schnatter bought the Camaro back for $250,000 from the family that he sold the car to in 1983.[23][24] In celebration, Papa John's offered a free pizza to anyone who owned a Camaro.[25] Schnatter's original Camaro has been on display in the company's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. The company owns several replicas that are used on tours and for public and TV appearances.[26][unreliable source?] On August 15, 2015, Schnatter's original Camaro was stolen along with two other classic cars in Detroit, where they were slated to appear in the city's annual Woodward Dream Cruise.[27] The Camaro was recovered two days later on the city's west side with minimal damage.[28]

Schnatter made a million-dollar contribution to the Louisville Zoo's Glacier Run expansion.[29]

Politics

In 2012, Papa John's and Schnatter received media attention after he made critical comments about the Affordable Care Act to a class on entrepreneurship.[30] In a shareholder conference call, Schnatter explained that he opposed the ACA because "our best estimate is that the Obamacare will cost 11 to 14 cents per pizza".[31]

Schnatter hosted a fundraiser at his home for Republican Party candidate Mitt Romney in May 2012.[32]

Schnatter contributed to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and made supportive comments about his administration in January 2017.[33]

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ a b c Kleber, John E., ed. (2001). "Papa John's International Inc.". The Encyclopedia of Louisville. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. p. 688. ISBN 0-8131-2100-0. OCLC 247857447. Retrieved March 22, 2017. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "WLKY-TV airs one-on-one interview with John Schnatter".
  3. ^ "Papa John Loses Dough: Pizza Chain Founder Loses $70 Million In Hours, Blames NFL".
  4. ^ "The story of Papa John's". Papajohns.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after NFL comments Chicago Tribune, December 21, 2017
  6. ^ "Papa John, One of the Last CEO Ad Stars, Will Remain the Face of the Company for Now". Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Lee, Yen Nee; Whitten, Sarah (July 11, 2018). "Papa John's founder John Schnatter resigns as chairman of company's board after apologizing for racial slur". CNBC. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  8. ^ "CEO John Schnatter Makes Big Dough With Papa John's Pizza - Investor's Business Daily". February 17, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d Wolfson, Andrew (January 13, 2013). "The real Papa John: Pizza entrepreneur John Schnatter makes no apologies for wealth, success, Obamacare remarks | Math whiz mixed pizza passion, finance". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  10. ^ "The Papa John's Story". Papa John's (GB) Ltd. Archived from the original on July 10, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Profile: John Schnatter". Forbes. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  12. ^ "About Papa Johns". Papa John's International. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Papa John's offering free pizza to customers who place online order during Super Bowl weekend". WDRB. January 28, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  14. ^ Green, Kim (January 15, 2015). "Sunday With Papa John's Founder John Schnatter". Parade. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  15. ^ "Jeffersontown to dedicate new bike and walking path Saturday". The Courier-Journal. November 7, 2007. p. C7. Retrieved December 6, 2012. Papa John's office is in Jeffersontown
  16. ^ "Papa's Specialty Pizza Challenge". Papa John's Pizza. Retrieved on December 6, 2012. "Papa John's International Inc., 2002 Papa John's Blvd, Louisville, KY 40299". Archived October 23, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ 2010 "Census – Census Block Map (Index): Jeffersontown city, KY 1". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 7, 2012.
  18. ^ Taylor, Kate (December 21, 2017). "Papa John's controversial CEO steps down after facing backlash for his criticism of NFL anthem protests". Business Insider.
  19. ^ Rovell, Darren (November 1, 2017). "Papa John's says anthem protests are hurting deal with NFL". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  20. ^ Kirsch, Noah (July 11, 2018). "Papa John's Founder Used N-Word On Conference Call". Forbes.
  21. ^ Whitten, Sarah (July 11, 2018). "Papa John's founder Schnatter apologizes for using the N-word on conference call". CNBC. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  22. ^ Cesca, Bob (August 6, 2012). "Chick-Fil-A Isn't the Only Evil Fast Food Chain". The Daily Banter. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  23. ^ "Papa John's boss finds Camaro, gives free pizza". NBC News. Associated Press. August 25, 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  24. ^ "Found: Papa John's Long-Lost Camaro! Kentucky Man Receives $250,000 Finder's Fee". Papa John's. August 25, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  25. ^ Associated, The (September 2, 2009). "Papa John's founder pays 250Kg for Camaro". Courierlifenews.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2010. Retrieved July 30, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Whyte, Carol (August 26, 2009). "Founder of Papa John's Reunited with Camaro Sold in 1983". Yahoo Voices. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  27. ^ Heiser, Tom (August 17, 2015). "John Schnatter's Camaro stolen in Detroit". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  28. ^ Greenwood, Tom; Chambers, Jennifer (August 17, 2015). "Stolen Papa John's Camaro found on Detroit's west side". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  29. ^ "Back to dough after losing bread: Papa John Schnatter shutters Calistoga Artisan Sandwich project after three and a half years". Insider Louisville. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Resnikoff, Ned (November 20, 2012). "Denny's, Papa John's walk back criticism of Obamacare". NBCNews.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  31. ^ Tau, Byron (August 7, 2012). "Papa John's: Obamacare will raise pizza prices". Politico.com. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  32. ^ Gerth, Joseph (April 17, 2012). "Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to visit Louisville Thursday for fundraiser". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  33. ^ Taylor, Kate (January 29, 2017). "Papa John's CEO: America is on a path to becoming what Germany was in 1867". businessinsider.com.
  34. ^ Wolfson, Andrew (January 13, 2013). "The real Papa John: Pizza entrepreneur John Schnatter makes no apologies for wealth, success, Obamacare remarks: Math whiz mixed pizza passion, finance". Courier Journal. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  35. ^ "TOYA Past Honorees". July 22, 2011.
  36. ^ Chipman, Melissa (March 9, 2017). "Behind the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards with Phoebe Wood". Insider Louisville. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  37. ^ http://eoyhof.ey.com/
  38. ^ "Conquer Cancer website". Conquercancer.ca. May 28, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
  39. ^ Burke, Pamela; Lytle, Alan. "Nine Entrepreneurs Going Into New Hall of Fame". WUKY. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  40. ^ ""Papa John" Schnatter Talks About ATO - Alpha Tau Omega at Ball State". Alpha Tau Omega at Ball State.
  41. ^ Liotta, Paul (October 8, 2015). "In wake of the video scandal; a look at famous alumni from Alpha Tau Omega". NY Daily News. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
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