From a broom closet to a billion-dollar pizza empire
In short: In 1984, John Schnatter sold his car to buy used restaurant equipment and started Papa John's in the back of his father's tavern. Today, he is a billionaire whose career serves as a case study in rapid scaling, high-profile controversy, and complex corporate litigation.
Schnatter’s ascent began with a modest conversion of a broom closet into a pizza shop in Jeffersonville, Indiana. By 1995, the company had expanded to 1,500 stores, eventually moving its headquarters to Louisville, Kentucky. His growth was marked by significant milestones, including going public in 1993 and becoming the owner of approximately 9.5 million shares—making him the company's largest shareholder.
However, his leadership became increasingly defined by public friction. In 2017, Schnatter sparked a major controversy by criticizing NFL players' national anthem protests, leading to the cancellation of the league's marketing affiliation with Papa John's. This was followed in 2018 by a more severe scandal: during an internal diversity training call, he used a racial slur while claiming it was a quote from Colonel Sanders. The incident led to his resignation as CEO and chairman, sparking a legal battle over access to company records and the implementation of a 'poison pill' strategy to limit his influence.
The aftermath of his ouster has been characterized by litigation and public relations maneuvering. After settling lawsuits in 2019, Schnatter sold down his stake from 31% to under 17%. While he remains a polarizing figure—facing accusations ranging from stalking to promoting conspiracy theories—he continues to engage in large-scale philanthropy. His foundation has donated millions to Kentucky universities and historically black colleges, actions that have drawn both praise for their impact and criticism regarding his public persona.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: John Schnatter
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