John Schattner Steps Down As Papa John’s CEO
Loose lips sink ships….
Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter has stepped down after he recklessly blamed the NFL protests for the company’s sales decline.
[Read Also: Papa John’s CEO Blames NFL Protests On Decline In Sales, Plies Offers The Perfect Response (Video)]
Via USA Today:
Schnatter, who founded the pizza chain in 1984, will remain as chairman of the board. No immediate reason was given for his decision, which takes effect Jan. 1. He is being replaced CEO is company President Steve Ritchie.
As the founder, Schnatter has been one of the biggest names in fast food. But he recently ran into controversy when he blamed NFL players’ mass move to drop to one knee during the playing of the national anthem as affecting his company’s sales.
Schnatter has been one of the last CEOs who also act as their brand’s advertising pitchman, a list that once included Col. Harland Sanders for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dave Thomas of Wendy’s. By stressing that Papa John’s had better ingredients and a better tasting product, he was able to turn the burgeoning chain into a national force against giants like Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut.
Welp…