John Schnatter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Schnatter
Schnatter at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2013
Born	John Hampton Schnatter November 22 or 23, 1961 (age 62) Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.
Other names	Papa John
Alma mater	Ball State University
Occupation	Founder, former CEO, and Chairman of Papa John's Pizza
Years active	1984–2018
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Annette Cox ​ ​ (m. 1987; sep. 2019)​
Children	3

John Hampton "Papa John" Schnatter (born in 1961) is an American businessman. He is famous for starting the Papa John's pizza chain in 1984. Schnatter began his pizza business in the back of his father's tavern. He sold his car to buy used kitchen equipment.

In 2018, Schnatter stepped down as the company's CEO. This happened after he made comments about the National Football League (NFL). He said that protests by NFL players during the national anthem were hurting his business. These comments led to the NFL ending its partnership with Papa John's.

Early life and education

John Schnatter was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in 1961. His mother was a real estate agent. His father was a judge. John graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1980. He then earned a business degree from Ball State University in 1983. In the 1980s, his father co-owned a tavern called Mick's Lounge.

Career

Starting Papa John's Pizza

Schnatter started Papa John's Pizza in 1984. He began by selling pizzas from a small closet in his father's tavern. He sold his 1971 Chevrolet Camaro car to buy about $1,600 worth of pizza equipment. His pizzas became very popular. A year later, he moved into a bigger space next door.

The company became public in 1993. This means people could buy shares in the company. By 1994, Papa John's had 500 stores. By 1997, it had opened 1,500 stores. In 2009, Schnatter got his old Camaro back. He offered a reward of $250,000 to find it.

In the late 1990s, Papa John's moved its main office. It moved from Jeffersonville, Indiana, to Louisville, Kentucky. Schnatter stepped down as CEO in 2005 but stayed as chairman. He returned as CEO in 2008.

Leaving Papa John's Pizza

In 2017, Schnatter spoke to investors. He said the National Football League (NFL) was hurting his company's sales. He was talking about the national anthem protests by football players. Papa John's was the NFL's "official pizza company" at the time. After his comments, Papa John's removed the NFL logo from its ads.

On December 21, 2017, Schnatter announced he would step down as CEO. This was due to the controversy over his comments. Steve Richie, the Chief Operating Officer, took his place. Schnatter was still the company's biggest shareholder. He also remained chairman of the board.

In July 2018, Schnatter was on a training call. During the call, he used a word that was seen as offensive. This incident was reported publicly. The same day, he resigned as chairman of the board. He also stepped down from the University of Louisville board of trustees.

Schnatter later filed a lawsuit against Papa John's. He wanted to see the company's business records. He felt the company was trying to cut ties with him unfairly. In 2019, a judge ordered the company to give him access to the records. They reached a settlement in March 2019. Schnatter agreed not to stay on the board after his term ended.

In November 2019, Schnatter spoke publicly about leaving Papa John's. He said the pizza "doesn't taste as good" anymore. This interview became very popular online. Later, he clarified that he had tasted many pizzas for quality, not eaten 40 whole ones. He also criticized how the company was run after he left.

Other businesses

In 1996, Schnatter started a real estate company. It is called Evergreen Real Estate. This company owns several historic buildings in Anchorage, Kentucky.

Schnatter also launched a sandwich business in 2007. It was called Calistoga Artisan Sandwiches. Most of this business closed in 2012. In 2022, Schnatter announced a new project called Papa Farms. This farm plans to grow crops without GMOs or pesticides.

Personal life

In 1983, Schnatter sold his 1971 Chevrolet Camaro car. He used the money to help his father's business. He then used the extra money to start Papa John's. Years later, he offered a $250,000 reward to get his car back. He bought it back on August 26, 2009. Papa John's even offered free pizza to anyone who owned a Camaro to celebrate.

Schnatter's original Camaro has been shown at the company's headquarters. The company also has other replica cars. In 2015, Schnatter's original Camaro was stolen in Detroit. It was found two days later with little damage.

Schnatter married Annette Cox in 1987. They lived in Anchorage, Kentucky, and had three children. They separated in 2019.

Politics

In 2012, Schnatter made comments about the Affordable Care Act. He said it would cost Papa John's more money. He hosted a fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in 2012. He also supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2016.

Schnatter spoke at a conference in 2022. He talked about "cancel culture" and government policies.

Giving back

In 2015, Schnatter's charity foundation gave $8 million to the University of Kentucky. This money helped create a new research and teaching center.

In 2019, his foundation donated $1 million to Simmons College of Kentucky. This is a college that was started for Black students. The college president thanked Schnatter for his generosity. Some people criticized the donation.

In October 2019, the foundation also gave $500,000 to Jeffersonville High School. This money was for renovating the baseball field. Schnatter had played baseball there when he was a student. The field was renamed the John H. Schnatter Stadium.

Awards and honors

• Named 1998 National Ernst & Young Retail/Consumer Entrepreneur of The Year.
• Named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 2000.
• Inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007.
• Inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2010.