John Schnatter
 | This biographical article is written like a résumé. (September 2010) |
John Schnatter | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 23, 1961 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Ball State University[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Founder, Owner, CEO, and Spokesperson of Papa John's Pizza |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouse |
Annette (m. 1987) |
| Children | Kristine (b. 1986) Danielle (b. 1990) Beau |
John H. Schnatter (born November 23, 1961[3]), better known as "Papa John", is the founder, chairman, and current CEO[4] of Papa John's International, Inc. He founded the company in October 1984.[5] He is also spokesman for Papa John's.
Biography
In 1983, at the age of 22, Schnatter started delivering pizza out of his father's co-owned tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. In the same year, he sold his 1971 Camaro Z28 to purchase the other half of the tavern in what became his family's first "pizza place." Today, the Papa John’s franchise has 4,000 restaurants in 50 states and 30 countries. In 1996, Schnatter helped fund a new 42,000-seat football stadium on the University of Louisville campus in exchange for naming rights. The structure, which opened in September 1998, is called Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Awards and honors received by Schnatter:
- Inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007.
- Named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 2000 by the National Jaycees Organization.
- Named 1998 National Ernst & Young Retail/Consumer Entrepreneur of The Year.
- Inducted in to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2010
- 2012 became an honorary initiate of Alpha Tau Omega
Financial donations
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.[6] 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. [7]
Camaro
On August 26, 2009, Schnatter purchased his Camaro back for $250,000. In celebration, Papa John's offered a free pizza to anyone who owned a Camaro.[8] The actual Camaro is 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.[9]
References
- ^ "How Do You Make $260 Million from Pizza? Keep Your Eyes on the Pies". People.com.
- ^ "Papa John Schnatter Net Worth". Therichest.org.
- ^ Yahoo! Groups
- ^ John Schnatter: Executive Profile & Biography - Businessweek
- ^ "The story of Papa John's". Papajohns.com. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ Whas11.com – Louisville Zoo's Glacier Run projects gets $1 million dollar gift[dead link] February 6, 2008
- ^ "Conquer Cancer website". Conquercancer.ca. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ Associated, The (2009-09-02). "Papa John's founder pays 250Kg for Camaro". Courierlifenews.com. Retrieved 2010-07-30.[dead link]
- ^ Carol Whyte (2009-08-22). "Founder of Papa John's Reunited with Camaro Sold in 1983". Yahoo Voices. Retrieved 2012-7-17.
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