Major Pizza Chain Closing 300 Locations: What To Know In VA

[CurtEastPoint]

2. well old founder boy FAFO

Papa John’s political history is heavily tied to its founder, John Schnatter, a Republican donor who publicly opposed the Affordable Care Act in 2012 and criticized the NFL's handling of anthem protests in 2017. Schnatter resigned as CEO and Chairman in 2018 after using a racial slur. The company has historically contributed more to Republican candidates and committees OpenSecrets.

Key Political Context
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Opposition: In 2012, Schnatter claimed the ACA would raise pizza costs by 11 to 14 cents, leading to public backlash over his criticisms of employee healthcare requirements.
NFL Controversy: In 2017, Schnatter blamed falling pizza sales on the NFL’s response to player protests during the national anthem, a move that drew criticism and led to him stepping down as CEO.
Racial Slur and Resignation: Following a 2018 report that he used a racial slur during a conference call, Schnatter resigned as chairman of the board.
Political Contributions: Data shows that while the company has made donations, they have historically favored Republican, as shown by data from OpenSecrets.


Following these controversies, the company has worked to distance itself from its founder and his political stances.