Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after blaming NFL for slow pizza sales

[Right_in_Virginia]

Papa John's founder out as CEO weeks after blaming NFL for slow pizza sales
Chicago Tribune, Dec 21, 2017, Joseph Pisani

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.


More: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-papa-johns-founder-out-20171221-story.html

[driftdiver]

Probably has more to do with sales

[Gefn]

Wow. Anyone else dislike their pizzas?
🍕

(I like mom and pop pizza stores)

[DCPatriot]

Probably has more to do with sales

A 13% drop seems 'normal', given the turmoil going on over NFL boycotts, etc..

But to resign??  Over that???

...talk about the power of the 'Franchisee".   ^-^

[driftdiver]

A 13% drop seems 'normal', given the turmoil going on over NFL boycotts, etc..

But to resign??  Over that???

...talk about the power of the 'Franchisee".   ^-^

Perhaps it's because he won't drop the nfl

[DCPatriot]

Perhaps it's because he won't drop the nfl

Hmmmm.....  I would imagine the contract agreement runs till the end of the Super Bowl, right?

He was essentially telling his loyal customers that he was not pleased with the league-sanctioned protests. 

Ergo, it is more likely Papa John's is suffering collateral damage due to protests from both sides.

[verga]

Wow. Anyone else dislike their pizzas?
🍕

(I like mom and pop pizza stores)

I grew up in Buffalo NY. The chains had a hard time getting even a toehold, much less a foot hold. every neighborhood had a least mom and pop that the residents were fiercely loyal to.

[driftdiver]

Hmmmm.....  I would imagine the contract agreement runs till the end of the Super Bowl, right?

He was essentially telling his loyal customers that he was not pleased with the league-sanctioned protests. 

Ergo, it is more likely Papa John's is suffering collateral damage due to protests from both sides.

Depends on the contract.   They'd be stupid to sign a contract with no way out.

[driftdiver]

Hmmmm.....  I would imagine the contract agreement runs till the end of the Super Bowl, right?

He was essentially telling his loyal customers that he was not pleased with the league-sanctioned protests. 

Ergo, it is more likely Papa John's is suffering collateral damage due to protests from both sides.

Btw the drop in sales came before his statement.  Before his statement their only official response supported the nfl.

[DCPatriot]

I grew up in Buffalo NY. The chains had a hard time getting even a toehold, much less a foot hold. every neighborhood had a least mom and pop that the residents were fiercely loyal to.

Me, too!   (Left there back in 1972)

Bocce Club Pizza!!   Nothing on the entire planet can touch it.    http://bocceclubpizza.com/

I recall back in the 60's, every employee...baker, cashier were openly carrying.   

Your point is supported too, by the fact that while TED'S Charcoal hotdogs has a consistent line, the McDonald's right across the street is empty.

[DCPatriot]

Btw the drop in sales came before his statement.  Before his statement their only official response supported the nfl.

 

[Gefn]

I grew up in Buffalo NY. The chains had a hard time getting even a toehold, much less a foot hold. every neighborhood had a least mom and pop that the residents were fiercely loyal to.

I hear Buffalo is the home of Buffalo wings. They were invented there. 😊

[DCPatriot]

I hear Buffalo is the home of Buffalo wings. They were invented there. 😊

In the "Anchor Bar", downtown, on Main Street, right across from Bryant & Stratton College, by a Teresa Bellissimo.

My brother opened up MAXI's.....and at one time was going thru over FOUR THOUSAND LBS per week.   That's more than 2 tons...for those of you with a public school education.   

[verga]

Me, too!   (Left there back in 1972)

Bocce Club Pizza!!   Nothing on the entire planet can touch it.    http://bocceclubpizza.com/

I recall back in the 60's, every employee...baker, cashier were openly carrying.   

Your point is supported too, by the fact that while TED'S Charcoal hotdogs has a consistent line, the McDonald's right across the street is empty.

@ DCPatriot Bocce club was very good, I think they were on East Delevan near the Juvenile detention center. I loved Norms over on Broadway, near St. John Kanty.

[jmyrlefuller]

If I were him, I'd tell them they'd better change their name, because I'm not granting them my personality rights.

[verga]

In the "Anchor Bar", downtown, on Main Street, right across from Bryant & Stratton College, by a Teresa Bellissimo.

My brother opened up MAXI's.....and at one time was going thru over FOUR THOUSAND LBS per week.   That's more than 2 tons...for those of you with a public school education.

@DCPatriot Anchor bar is nice because it the home of the "original, but we like Duff's better.

[Frank Cannon]

Their pizza sucks....

[driftdiver]

In my area I can get pizza at Papa Johns, Dominoes, Pizza Hut or a couple stand alone chains that promise NY Style.    Only the chains deliver so of those Papa Johns got my vote until this NFL garbage.    Now I drive to pick up.

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot Anchor bar is nice because it the home of the "original, but we like Duff's better.

Thanks for the tip, @verga   I'm going to try them.   Will be up there next weekend.

That Duff's location is walking distance to the Ted's and McDonald's..., to which I referred above.   Southwestern Blvd and Union Rd. 

[verga]

Thanks for the tip, @verga   I'm going to try them.   Will be up there next weekend.

That Duff's location is walking distance to the Ted's and McDonald's..., to which I referred above.   Southwestern Blvd and Union Rd.

@DCPatriot There used to be a local chain called " The Chicken coop" You could order them "Suicidal" We would order 50 of them with 2 liters of Orange Crush. Everyone would would put $5 on the table, the last one to touch his soda won the pot. I never won. We used to challenge the guy that made them to make them so hot we could not eat them.

[Suppressed]

@DCPatriot Anchor bar is nice because it the home of the "original, but we like Duff's better.

A lot of people do, and I have a Duff's t-shirt, but I still prefer the Anchor Bar.

[DCPatriot]

A lot of people do, and I have a Duff's t-shirt, but I still prefer the Anchor Bar.

Is it STILL open?   

[verga]

Is it STILL open?   

I think it changed owners, but it is still open.

[NavyCanDo]

Wow. Anyone else dislike their pizzas?
🍕

(I like mom and pop pizza stores)

Both bake your own pizza stores here on the west coast, Papa John's and Papa Murphy's have horrible pizza. The sauce is bland, and the meat has little flavor as well.

[Suppressed]

Is it STILL open?   

Yeah.

Actually, I have an Anchor Bar shirt, too.  Can't fit into either of them anymore, I'm sure...I've eaten too many wings.    I should donate them.

Actually, though, I know a woman who lost 125+ pounds on a "wings and Michelob Ultra" diet...by getting wings without honey added, and then putting in some Old Bay for zing.