"Founded in 1984, the chain was plunged into crisis after its founder, John Schnatter, resigned as chairman when a leaked recording revealed him using the N-word and recounting violent acts against African Americans during a media-training role-playing exercise on a conference call with his PR agency. The remarks prompted the public-relations firm to quit, ignited social-media calls for a boycott, and pushed the company’s stock to its lowest level so far this year. Schnatter — who had stepped down as CEO in January after blaming NFL players’ anthem protests for weak sales — acknowledged the comments, apologized for using “inappropriate and hurtful language,” and said, “racism has no place in our society.”" - Daniela Galarza