Who is John Hampton Schnatter?

John Hampton Schnatter, commonly known as "Papa John," is an American entrepreneur who founded the Papa John's pizza restaurant chain in 1984. Schnatter initially started the business by selling pizzas out of his dad's tavern, and within a few years, had opened his first restaurant in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

In addition to being the founder of the popular pizza chain, Schnatter is also well-known for his appearances in Papa John's commercials. He has been featured in numerous advertisements for the company, often appearing in his signature red shirt and using his catchphrase, "better ingredients, better pizza, Papa John's."

However, Schnatter's reputation has been tarnished in recent years due to several controversies. In 2018, he used racially offensive language on a conference call , which led to his resignation as CEO of the company. Schnatter also faced criticism for his political views and donations, and for allegedly creating a toxic culture within the company.

Despite these controversies, Schnatter remains a prominent figure in the business world and has an estimated net worth of over $1 billion. While he no longer holds a leadership position within Papa John's, he continues to be recognized as the brand's founder and has spoken out about his views on the company's direction and leadership in interviews and public statements.