Papa John’s founder not impressed by changes

John Schnatter is at it again. Papa John’s International Inc.’s notorious founder and former leader lambasted the pizza chain publicly for the second time in months, naming a handful of executives that he says should be jailed while calling out the new chief as having “no pizza experience.”

Schnatter — who made the comments in a local media interview in Louisville, Kentucky, where the restaurant chain is based — also took a dig at the food quality. He said he’s eaten more than 40 pizzas in 30 days, and “it’s not the same pizza.”

A spokeswoman for Papa John’s didn’t reply to a request for comment.

The pizza chain, which got an investment earlier this year from activist investor Starboard Value, has been working to mount a comeback following a sales slump and a scandal involving Schnatter’s use of a racist slur that the founder says was taken out of context. Earlier this month, the chain reported better-than-expected quarterly sales and announced a slew of management changes. It had already named in August a new chief executive officer, former Arby’s executive Rob Lynch.

Lynch’s appointment has eased investor concerns, with the company’s share price rising about 28 percent since he stepped in. Still, Schnatter said he isn’t satisfied, given Lynch has no background in pizza or previous CEO experience. Schnatter also said managers “stole the company” and contends some executives, including director Olivia Kirtley and former director Mark Shapiro, should be in jail.

Once the largest shareholder, Schnatter still owns at least a 9 percent stake, according to Bloomberg data. He says he isn’t trying to take it over at this time, but cryptically suggested multiple times that viewers “stay tuned.” “There’s no reason to be in the car when the car crashes,” he said.