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Shaquille O'Neal joins Papa John's board, becomes brand ambassador

March 22, 2019

Papa John's today announced that NBA Hall of Famer and restaurateur Shaquille O'Neal will join its board, become a brand "ambassador" and invest in nine Atlanta-area Papa John's locations.

The four-time NBA champion and television sports analyst on Inside the NBA has established a strong business track record as an investor, restaurateur and franchise owner. He owns a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise in Atlanta and previously owned 27 Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchises. He also founded and owns the Las Vegas fast casual, Big Chicken, and Shaquille's, a fine dining restaurant in Los Angeles, California. He is also a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise.

"We are thrilled to partner with Shaquille and welcome him to the Papa John's Board," Papa John's Board Chair Jeff Smith, said in a company press release. "Shaquille has an excellent entrepreneurial background, including as a restaurant franchise owner, and is a natural creative marketer. 

"Shaquille has demonstrated great success through understanding the customer value proposition with product and brand differentiation."

Papa John's President and CEO Steve Ritchie said O'Neal has an innate understanding of how to create and build lasting customer connections and energize employees.

"This is a triple-threat opportunity for me," said O'Neal in the release. "I am excited to join the board and to help lead from the top, while also investing in nine stores in my home town of Atlanta and being an ambassador for the brand. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board and using my experience in business and community to build on the progress being made at Papa John's. Papa John's is building a better culture, and I want to be a part of improving the Company from the inside out."

Including O'Neal, Papa John's has added six directors to its board this year, including four independent directors. They are Starboard Value CEO and independent Board Chair Jeff Smith, Dollar Shave Club founder and CEO Michael Dubin, Him for Her founder and CEO Jocelyn Mangan and Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Anthony Sanfilippo, as well as Papa John's President and CEO Steve Ritchie.

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