John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John’s pizza is stepping down as CEO.
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In a press release Thursday, the company said Steve Ritchie will replace Schnatter effective January 1, 2018. The company did not give a reason for the change in leadership. Schnatter will stay on as the brand’s chairman.
Ritchie, 43, started with the company in 1996 as a customer service representative at $6 per hour. In 2006, he became a Papa John’s franchise owner and operator, then in 2010 began serving in increasing capacities of leadership in operations until being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014.
The abrupt announcement comes around two months after Schnatter criticized the NFL leadership over national anthem protests by players. Papa John’s apologized two weeks later.
Image – Papa John’s