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Papa John's founder launches own ad campaign

Papa John's founder John Schnatter launched his own ad campaign this week to take another "go" at wrestling the company he founded away from its current leadership.

August 23, 2018

Papa John's founder John Schnatter launched his own ad campaign this week to take another go at wrestling the company he founded away from its current leadership. This week's actions include a full-page ad in the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Gannett-owned newspaper that covers the city where the chain is headquartered. 

He also has launched a website to further his cause, Savepapajohns.com, and is using both the ad and the site to tell employees he "misses" them. Of course, all this follows a year of trouble for the controversial pizza restaurateur capped by him stepping down as the company's board chair after reports that he made racially insensitive comments during a May media training call. 

In the Courier-Journal ad, Schnatter took on a somber tone, telling employees at the company, "I can only imagine how difficult this entire situation is on you, and I’m very sorry you all have to go through this." The ad also refers readers to his Savepapajohns website, where the landing page is emblazoned with a glaring red-and-white caption in all capital letters, "I AM PAPA JOHN."

The site is also filled with material and links to legal documents, media coverage and other items Schnatter believes best reflect his views on the entire affair that has unfolded over the last year, beginning with his controversial statements about the NFL sponsorship last fall. 

The company itself, currently led by CEO Steve Ritchie, has remained steadfast in its views that Papa John's is no longer just the person who founded it, but its many employees and manifestations worldwide.