Papa John’s CEO to resign
Papa John’s founder John Schnatter will step down as CEO next month, about two months after he criticized NFL leadership over protests by players during the national anthem.
Schnatter had blamed slowing sales growth on the outcry surrounding NFL players kneeling during the anthem, saying that customers had a negative view of the chain’s sponsorship of NFL games. The comments drew praise from white supremacists, and Papa John’s apologized two weeks later.
Schnatter will remain as chairman but be replaced as CEO by Chief Operating Officer Steve Ritchie on Jan. 1.