Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter, who overcame the odds to build his home-delivery pizza chain into a national powerhouse against entrenched rivals, is stepping down.
Schnatter, who founded the pizza chain in 1984, will remain as chairman of the board. No immediate reason was given for his decision, which takes effect Jan. 1. He is being replaced CEO is company President Steve Ritchie.
As the founder, Schnatter has been one of the biggest names in fast food. But he recently ran into controversy when he blamed NFL players’ mass move to drop to one knee during the playing of the national anthem as affecting his company’s sales.