Papa John’s founder kicked out of his office
Papa John’s founder is physically out at the pizza chain.
A special committee of the board of directors met on Sunday to discuss its founder John Schnatter.
The board decided to kick him out of his office at Papa John’s ( PZZA) headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
“The company has specifically requested that Mr. Schnatter cease all media appearances, and not make any further statements to the media regarding the company, its business or employees,” the company said in a press release on Sunday.
Papa John’s announced on Friday it would remove Schnatter’s image from its marketing materials.
The committee said it will oversee an outside auditor’s investigation into Papa John’s culture, including the company’s existing processes, policies and systems related to diversity and inclusion.
The committee terminated Schnatter’s “Founder Agreement,” which designated him as the face of the company’s advertising and marketing, and terminated his sublease agreement for office space at Papa John’s Louisville, Kentucky headquarters.
Schnatter resigned as CEO in December and stepped down as chairman last week following several media blunders that started last fall when he blamed the NFL for its “poor leadership” in handling player protests during the national anthem.
He remains on the board and still owns 30% of the company’s shares.