John Schnatter
John H. Schnatter (born November 23, 1961) is an American businessman and the founder, current CEO, and spokesman for Papa John's International, Inc. He founded the company in October 1984.
Early life and education
Schnatter was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on November 23, 1961, and graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1980, then earned a business degree from Ball State University in 1983.
In the 1980s, John Schnatter's father co-owned Mick's Lounge, a tavern in Jeffersonville.
Career
The Papa John's pizza business was founded in 1983 when "Papa" John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet in the back of his father's tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He then sold his 1971 Z28 Camaro to purchase $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and began selling pizzas to the tavern's customers out of the converted closet. His pizzas proved so popular that one year later he was able to move into an adjoining space. In 2009, Schnatter got the Camaro back by contacting the family that he sold the car to in 1983.
