John Schnatter

John H. Schnatter, better known as "Papa John", (born August 16, 1962) is the founder, chairman, and former CEO of Papa John's International, Inc. He founded the company in 1984. He is also spokesman for Papa John's. Schnatter lives in Anchorage, Kentucky. Born in Jeffersonville, Indiana he started work in the pizza business during high school, at the age of 15, where he worked as a student at Rocky's Sub Pub. He obtained a degree in business ad... more

John H. Schnatter, better known as "Papa John", (born August 16, 1962) is the founder, chairman, and former CEO of Papa John's International, Inc. He founded the company in 1984. He is also spokesman for Papa John's. Schnatter lives in Anchorage, Kentucky. Born in Jeffersonville, Indiana he started work in the pizza business during high school, at the age of 15, where he worked as a student at Rocky's Sub Pub. He obtained a degree in business administration from Ball State University in 1983 while practicing his trade at the local Greek's Pizzeria. In 1984, aged 22, he expanded the kitchen at his father's bar, Mick's Lounge, where he began his own pizza business. Today, there are almost 3,000 restaurants with the name Papa John's worldwide. Schnatter appears in many Papa John's commercials. Schnatter usually ends his commercials with his familiar mantra, "Better ingredients, better pizza, Papa John's". On April 26, 2007 Schnatter was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S.... less