Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after NFL comments

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after NFL comments

Joseph Pisani, Ap Retail Writer Updated 1:52 pm, Thursday, December 21, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) Papa John's founder John Schnatter will step down as CEO next month, about two months after he publicly criticized the NFL leadership over national anthem protests by football players comments for which the company later apologized.

Schnatter will be replaced as chief executive by Chief Operating Officer Steve Ritchie on Jan. 1, the company announced Thursday. Schnatter, who appears in the chain's commercials and on its pizza boxes, and is the company's biggest shareholder, remains chairman of the board.

Earlier this year, Schnatter blamed slowing sales growth at Papa John's an NFL sponsor and advertiser on the outcry surrounding players kneeling during the national anthem. Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had kneeled during the national anthem to protest what he said was police mistreatment of black men, and other players started kneeling as well.

"The controversy is polarizing the customer, polarizing the country," Schnatter said during a conference call about the company's earnings on Nov. 1. ... Papa John's apologized two weeks later, after white supremacists praised Schnatter's comments. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company distanced itself from the group, saying that it did not want them to buy their pizza.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Papa-John-s-founder-out-as-CEO-weeks-after-NFL-12448437.php

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Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after NFL comments

Link to tweet

* * * * *

For a minute there I though he sexually harassed a pizza.

Link to tweet

[marble falls]

1. Couldn't happen to a better guy. Especially since he hates his workers and the ACA so much. Too ...

bad he won't be losing any stock or money over it.

[Wednesdays]

9. Indeed, he's still Chairman of the Board

He won't be buried in a pauper's grave when he passes on, that's for sure.

[debunction.junction]

35. F.U. Schnatter!

Haven't posted in probably a year, but couldn't help myself because I loathe this S.O.B. with a passion. When he came out against Obamacare because providing healthcare to his employees would add 25 cents to the cost of a pizza!!! Rot in hell Schnatter. You pathetic POS.

[marble falls]

42. That was specifically when I thought he could end up in the streets for all I cared. He thinks...

$10/hr with no health benefits is just ducky for his workers. Its not a living wage anywhere in the US.

[trc]

43. this times a thousand

that was the last time I bought a PJ pizza. further, stock prices fell 13% and papa dufus is the largest share holder of the company, so while he will be financially fine, it did hurt.

[Norbert]

71. I prefer my pizza without the drama

Pizza joints are competitive business. In my neck of the woods we have Pizza Hut, Donato's, Domino's, LaRosa's, Jet's, Little Ceasar's, Marco's, NYPD and a host of onezies and twozies to go along with Papa Johns.

I know the CEO, president or owner of very few of these places. For all I know some of these may be run by tea party Republicans. The point is I don't know, they keep their mouths shut and in many cases they put out a good product. I don't buy Papa Johns. Initially it's because I did not like it as well. I doubled down when this idiot had to open his pie hole on various issues. Now I just prefer my pizza without the drama.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

48. He's not smart either because that cost, which wasn't even true ...

... would have applied to his competitors, too. So, it was an unforced error that doomed his shitty public relations.

Fucking moron. Worse, an immoral moron.

[dchill]

64. Well put.

FU and the quarterback you rode in on.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

46. Will he do his awful shitty commercials still?

For the love of God, I hope not.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

39. I have to admit ...

Last edited Thu Dec 21, 2017, 09:30 PM - Edit history (1)

I can't stand this guy. I hate his attitude towards Labor. He's none too bright. I'm glad he's no longer CEO, and I get a warm feeling knowing that a lot of people detest him, too.

But, even though I don't agree with his statement, I admit I'm hard-pressed in understanding why this statement was controversial? Again, I don't agree with it, but why is it this statement, and not any of the multitudes of other shit statements he's made that did him in?

Can someone enlighten me? I'm open to trying to figure out why this was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.

Edit: switched to to too due to phone auto-correct.

[marble falls]

41. He thinks the NFL exists only for his marketing. He thinks only of himself and his bottom line...

social values have no value.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

47. Thanks for the reply.

I agree, but we all knew that. He's said shit that was arguably worse, so I'm just wondering why this is it. Maybe, he took on an entity that was just a tad too big to try to challenge? The NFL?

[Mr.Bill]

2. Only an idiot

brings a political issue into the pizza business. I would hope that they fail, if not for all the people that would lose their jobs due to this idiot.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

49. I'm wondering if they should be working on such sociopathic environment.

It's only a thought. I realize that it's not feasible to just up and quit.

[GentryDixon]

3. Boo hoo.

Could not happen to a more deserving asshole.

[cstanleytech]

4. I don't know if it's nationwide but the quality of their pizzas took a nose dive

in my area about 6 to 8 years ago I noticed so I wonder if the real problem is lower quality ingredients?

[7962]

8. Always liked Dominoes thin better. nt

[cstanleytech]

11. Meh, personally the best pizza I have found in my area is a place called

Pizza Central.

[MurrayDelph]

27. And the best one in my area

is called Pizza a'Fetta, which is about 30 miles down the road, and past a bunch of chains and other independents.

The best thing I can say about Papa John's is that it's better than Pizza Hut.

[keithbvadu2]

29. Yet PH made more money while PJ lost.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

51. I actually like Pizza Hut and Pizza Inn (do those still exist)?

Didn't PJ used to work for another chain or something?

[IronLionZion]

45. And the best one in my area is one block away and sells NY style by the slice

And President Obama's favorite pizza is about 5 blocks away. I'm fortunate when it comes to pizza.

I delude myself into believing I can walk off the calories

[keithbvadu2]

53. Optimism

[calimary]

34. The little local joints always have the best pizza.

That's where we go.

[7962]

57. If its delivery around here its just the 2 choices! But local is always better for dine in.

Only thing is, I'm a picky pizza person. I really like THIN crust, crispy. And Dominos thin is actually thinner than any ive ever had anywhere.
But pizza being my favorite food, I'll still eat a good one regardless!

[cstanleytech]

59. Aye same here about the thin crust and the place i mentioned does a good one

I just wish I could find a good place for lasagna but so far no luck as everyone seems to go cheap on it and use frozen meatballs for the filling.

[SharonClark]

69. Besides the horrid politics of Dominos' founder, I've heard it described as ketchup on cardboard.

[7962]

72. Funny, I always thought of Papa Johns sauce as THEIR weakness!

They did a major menu overhaul a few years back; much better now. But, to each their own too. Some of my friends love a pizza loaded with every meat know to man. I like mostly veggies with just a couple meats
They also started selling pasta dishes which also aren't bad.
Again, we're talking delivery and I dont live in a city big enough to have options other than Papa Johns or Dominos.

[Skid Rogue]

70. LMAO!!!

I've been boycotting Domino's since the 80s. I hope Pizza Hut is okay.

[7962]

73. Pizza Hut is ok too, but around here they dont deliver. We just have the 2 options. nt

[Bigredhunk]

22. -

Yup. That's what I thought too. It was never great, but it was decent for a chain. At some point within the last 10-15 years, I think they started to use cheaper stuff. The quality went downhill fosho.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

52. It always, without fail, gave me the runs.

Completely caused intestinal spasms. I could forget about doing anything for the rest of the day/night.

[IMnotU]

5. He makes a really bad pizza also

that is why their business is down.

[Skittles]

6. I really try not to be a food snob but

I have only had that pizza once and it was dreadful - it didn't taste bad so much as it had very little taste at all

[Iggo]

12. It's as good as any other pizza that gets delivered to my house. And that's kinda the point.

How hard is it to ask some other company to drive a pizza over to my house?

Not very hard at all.

[IMnotU]

28. I grew up in Brooklyn so I am a pizza snob

Chain pizza, any chain, can never match the pizza found in any hole in the wall pizza shop there. But Papa Johns pizza is one I would never even wipe my *** with, it is so bad.

[CTyankee]

63. I live in pizza heaven, New Haven.

We have fabulous pizza all around us. Clam pizza was invented here (more like it was simply introduced here...prolly from old Italian family recipes...I like the white clam pizza myself.

[forgotmylogin]

37. I loved their discounts, but I unsubscribed from the notifications.

I have been trying primarily to patronize a local family-owned pizza joint that has online ordering and is a bit pricier. We ordered from PJ's probably once every 2-3 weeks before that.

[Iggo]

67. I live in South East L.A. County. There's 20 other places that'll bring a pizza to my door.

Once he implied that he could provide all his employees with health care, but he didn't want to charge like 14 more cents per pizza, that was it.

Done. Forever.

They can't fix what he broke that day. It has been fun watching him turn the company into The Official Pizza Of The Nazi Party, though.

The fucking moron.

[laserhaas]

76. Everyday, Papa John's sends email...50% ...1/2 off

Kind won 50 off

Lakers won ..1/2 off

Girls little league meeting..1/2 off

Kangaroo found a banana 50% off

Sky is blue...special 1/2 off

Bull chit tool he was as is "regular" pricing

[heaven05]

7. he hated President Obama

after his comments when Obama was my POTUS on ACA, I never touched his garbage food.

[marble falls]

10. So many really good reasons to hate this guy.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

50. Another reason is...

he once hosted a party for Dick Cheney at his house several miles from where I live. The stench downwind lingered for days.

Many people in his ultra-rich neighborhood can't stand him.

.............

[dawn frenzy adams]

13. Here's why sales are lagging.

Awful ingredients. Awful pizza. Papa John's.

[SoCalMusicLover]

20. I See What You Did

How dare you twist their jingle that way!! LOL!!

[Laffy Kat]

14. Unfortunately, that leaves him with more time to trophy hunt.

He's such a flaming asshole.

[George II]

15. .

Link to tweet

[Paladin]

16. Adios, motherfucker.

Maybe your successor will bring about something new and worthwhile for Papa Johns: edible pizza.

[ffr]

33. +1 He most certainly was part of the Dixie Chick boycott

Now it's his turn in the limelight.

[dhol82]

40. Excellent. Turn about is fair play.

[Raster]

17. Shitty pizza. Shitty owner. Papa John.

[SoCalMusicLover]

18. But Their Pizza Will Still Suck! nt

[Norbert10]

26. Never liked them. Always found their pizza YUCK!

[vkkv]

19. He's already OUTED as a MAJOR ASSHOLE - That's is for sure.

[bucolic_frolic]

21. Easier to topple a corporate blockhead

than a political strongman

[Bengus81]

23. So he still gets paid out the ass and is still an ass but doesn't have to show up for work....

Looks like a real beat down on him for his shit statements about the NFL.

[nini]

24. This just made my day!!

LOLOLOL

[edbermac]

25. Never tried it. Usually do the locals.

Sometimes head into the North End in Boston.

[keithbvadu2]

30. What happens when neo-Nazis hijack your brand

What happens when neo-Nazis hijack your brand

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/what-happens-when-nazis-hijack-your-brand/2017/11/16/8871c7ba-c98f-11e7-8321-481fd63f174d_story.html?utm_term=.5bd8c1cfc790&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
.
“We were going to order from the local place where we get pizza all the time, but we said no, Papa John’s is the official pizza of the alt-right now,” said Eli Mosley, the 26-year-old leader of the white separatist group Identity Evropa. “We’re just supporting the brands that support us.”
.
http://www.newsweek.com/papa-johns-tells-nazis-dont-buy-our-pizza-after-chain-claimed-official-pie-alt-702296


The Daily Stormer posted a picture of a swastika pizza after the CEO of official NFL sponsor Papa Johns blamed his company’s recent losses on players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality.
.

[Owl]

31. I avoid their pizza because of that jerk.

[Brother Buzz]

32. I hear Schnatter is on the short list for White House appointment

[Fantastic Anarchist]

36. He's got a face that even his mom could punch.

Couldn't have happened to a smaller prick. 😂

[Bromwell]

38. FUCK that guy.....that is all.

[hay rick]

44. Stole my post.

Welcome to DU.

[muntrv]

54. He should be out for peddling cardboard with tomato sauce.

[rurallib]

55. gotta laugh at the reactionary asshole n/t

[tavernier]

56. The only pizza we ever threw away.

Politics not withstanding, their cheeseburger pizza tasted like vomit.

What on earth can you do to a pizza to make it taste totally revolting?

[WePurrsevere]

58. This sleazeball is still going to make $$$ off this as Chairman...

I'd be happier if he was out completely. He's a greedy jerk who blames others for issues that HIS decisions and big mouth caused.

[TheBlackAdder]

60. Is that some bad plastic surgery or what?

http://www.celebritieswith.com/john-schnatter-papa-john-plastic-surgery/

[Iggo]

80. I dunno, but that full head of shiny black hair makes him look so strong and virile.

[sarcasmo]

61. Guess the shareholders didn't like the KKK pizza.

[bdtrppr6]

62. i can't believe they are even still in business

the worst fucking pizza ever. terrible. even when they were "good". blechh.

[Tarheel_Dem]

65. I was done with Papa John's after he hosted a Mitt Romney fundraiser at his sprawling mansion.

Shitty pizza, anyway.

[workinclasszero]

66. I'm boycotting papa john's pizza until that asshole reich winger

no longer works there in any capacity!

[Gothmog]

68. I am glad that this asshole was removed

[crazycatlady]

74. Their practice of putting meat under the cheese

has made most of their pizza inedible for me (as in would make me sick). I just gave up meat altogether last week, but before that I couldn't eat meat with nitrates (aka pepperoni and sausage, staples on pizza).

I don't know how many time the default pizza has been pepperoni. Everyone else puts the pepperoni on top of the cheese (so you can pick it off) except Papa John's. They deserve to smell the bathroom as I resolve the issues it creates.

Besides I'm from NY. Chain pizza sucks.

[laserhaas]

75. Papa John & Pizza Hut sales are down due to 2 min Pizzas

Mod Pizza, Studio Pizza etc ...are popping up

Everywhere ....Which annihilates Papa Johns regular $12 to $20 overboard pricing

All ingredients (dozens) ..No extra cost 12 meats..12 veggies...multiple sauces...different cheeses

$7.99 or $8.99 for over loaded pizza ...cooked perfect

......... in 2 minutes

Link to tweet

[appleannie1943]

77. Ba bye. I don't like Papa John's pizza and that is why I don't buy it.

[Iggo]

79. I do like it. But he's an asshole. So I stopped buying it.

That's how that works.

[tymorial]

78. The controversy is polarizing the customer, polarizing the country

If you take that sentence at face value, he isn't wrong. Yet when you place that statement into context and understand his intent, it becomes a hate filled rant.

Words are often meaningless without context.

[Blue_Tires]

81. LOL...Good riddance