Papa Johns Pizza
Pizza restaurant · Ashburn ·
Pizza chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, wings, sides
Pizza chain offering classic & specialty pizzas, wings, sides
"Facing financial losses after its founder publicly blamed protesting NFL players for poor earnings, the company is attempting to repair its image by mandating diversity training for employees. CEO Steve Ritchie announced in an open letter that diversity, equity, and inclusion are top priorities and emphasized commitments to equity, fairness, respect, and opportunity. Critics view the move as primarily a PR effort—especially since the company isn’t closing stores to focus on training—and note that the founder remains the largest reputational liability, having launched a website to rally franchisees and staff while clashing publicly with the board." - Daniela Galarza
"Once the founder and largest shareholder of the pizza chain, John Schnatter has been banned from the company after a leaked phone call in which he used racist and derogatory language; he later resigned as CEO and chairman amid those revelations and amid allegations that he promoted a "bro-culture" and engaged in sexual misconduct, which he denies. He launched a personal website urging employees and franchisees to back him and claiming the board is trying to silence him, and sent a personal note apologizing and expressing concern for staff. The company, which employs about 120,000 people worldwide, has seen sliding sales and reported a loss in July; leadership says it is offering financial assistance to franchisees to prevent closures during the controversy. Company officials assert that stakeholders support separating the brand from him and are confident the board's actions will help move the business forward." - Daniela Galarza
"The pizza chain became associated with white-nationalist sympathizers after its founder blamed protesting African-American football players for a sales slump; the founder later faced allegations of racism and sexual misconduct, was forced to step down, has signaled a comeback, and the controversy alienated many customers and coincided with a sharp decline in the company’s stock." - Chris Fuhrmeister
"After a recording surfaced of founder John Schnatter using the N-word, he resigned as chairman amid allegations of a toxic, male‑dominated workplace where women were often the targets of sexual harassment. An investigative report claims Schnatter engaged in sexual misconduct that resulted in at least two confidential settlements — including accusations of stalking and groping in 1999 and a 2009 incident involving a 24‑year‑old marketing employee — and describes coworkers being subjected to crude questions about bra size and menstruation, being asked to spy on colleagues, and having emails read. The report also alleges he installed loyalists in leadership to run the company unchallenged and that nondisclosure agreements kept many from coming forward; Schnatter disputes much of the reporting. The business has faced financial fallout since his 2017 comments about NFL anthem protests, reportedly offering steep discounts to win back customers, and the board has formed a special committee and retained outside investigators to audit and recommend changes even as Schnatter retains significant ownership and remains on the board." - Whitney Filloon
"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
