STRATEGIC PARTNERS
December 21, 2020
Papa John's former leader, Steve Ritchie, has started his own restaurant group, which has purchased a Louisville, Kentucky-based small plates chain called LouVino, according to Louisville Business First.
Ritchie founded Endeavor Restaurant Group which has made the five-location Midwest LouVino chain its first investment, though the price paid was not released. The 6-year-old brand was formerly owned by Chad and Lauren Coulter, who own the fast casual breakfast chain, Biscuit Belly.
Ritchie spent most of his restaurant career at Papa John's, which he was president and CEO after Schnatter left in late 2018. Current CEO Rob Lynch took the job over in August 2019.
Ritchie purchased LouVino with his wife, Melissa Ritchie, who also worked at Papa John's previously.
