John Schnatter Biography
John Schnatter is a famous American Entrepreneur who established Papa John’s Pizza in 1984. Schnatter stepped down as CEO on January 1, 2018, after remarks he made in November 2017 condemning National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell for allegedly not doing anything regarding national anthem protests by football players.
Schnatter is important because he revolutionized the pizza industry by introducing a focus on quality ingredients. He believed that by using fresh and high-quality ingredients, Papa John’s could differentiate itself from its competitors and appeal to consumers who were looking for healthier and more wholesome food options. This approach proved successful, and it helped Papa John’s grow into a multi-billion-dollar company with thousands of locations worldwide.
He has been a vocal advocate for small business owners and entrepreneurs. He has spoken out against government regulations that he believes are stifling innovation and entrepreneurship, and he has also supported various initiatives to help small businesses grow and succeed.
10 Quick Facts About John Schnatter
- Name: John Schnatter
- Age: 62 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 23 November
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (1.78m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Entrepreneur
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: To be Updated
- Net worth: $400 Million
John Schnatter Age
Schnatter is 62 years old as of 2023, he was born on 23 November 1961, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 23 November every year and his birth sign is Sagittarius.
John Schnatter Height
Schnatter stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.78m) tall.
John Schnatter Weight
Schnatter weighs 75 kg (165 lbs).
John Schnatter Early Life and Education
Schnatter was born on 23 November 1961, in Jeffersonville, Indiana to Mary and Robert Schnatter. His father was a judge in Jeffersonville and his mother was a real estate agent. He has German ancestry. He also graduated from Jeffersonville High School in 1980 and received a business degree from Ball State University in 1983.
In the 1980s, Robert Schnatter co-owned Mick’s Lounge, a Jeffersonville tavern.
John Schnatter Rise to Fame
Schnatter is an American entrepreneur and founder of the Papa John’s pizza chain. Schnatter began his career in the pizza business at the age of 15, working at a local pizza restaurant in his hometown. He later attended Ball State University but dropped out in 1983 to focus on his pizza business.
In 1984, Schnatter rise to fame after he began selling pizzas out of the back of his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville. He saved up $1,600 and purchased pizza equipment to start his own business. He sold his pizzas to local taverns and other establishments and quickly gained a reputation for his high-quality ingredients and homemade pizza sauce.
In 1985, Schnatter opened his first Papa John’s restaurant in the back of his father’s tavern. The restaurant was an instant success, and Schnatter expanded the chain rapidly. By 1991, Papa John’s had over 100 locations in the United States, and in 1993, the company went public.
Schnatter became the face of the company, appearing in many of the company’s advertisements and promotions. He became known for his catchphrase, “Better ingredients. Better pizza. Papa John’s.” The company’s success continued to grow, and by 2006, there were over 3,000 Papa John’s locations worldwide.
John Schnatter Parents
Schnatter was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States as the son of Robert Schnatter (father) who was a judge in Jeffersonville, and Mary Beth Ackerson (mother) who was a real estate agent.
John Schnatter Siblings
Schnatter spent his childhood alongside his two siblings; Charles W Schnatter, and Anne Schnatter Ackerson.
John Schnatter Wife
Schnatter was married to his lovely wife Annette Cox. The couple did their wedding in 1987. The couple lived in Anchorage, Kentucky, and together they are blessed with three children namely Kristine Schnatter, Beau Schnatter, and Danielle Schnatter. Cox filed for divorce on December 5, 2019, and said they had been separated since April 1.
John Schnatter Children
Schnatter together with his ex-wife are proud parents of three children; Kristine Schnatter, Beau Schnatter, and Danielle Schnatter.
John Schnatter Net Worth
Schnatter has an estimated net worth of $400 Million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as an Entrepreneur. Through his various sources of income, Schnatter has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
John Schnatter Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about John Schnatter;
John Schnatter Wiki
- Full Names: John Hampton Schnatter
- Popular As: John Schnatter
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Entrepreneur
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
John Schnatter Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 62 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Date of Birth: 23 November 1961
- Place of Birth: Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States
- Birthday: 23 November
John Schnatter Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 8 inches (1.78m)
- Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Chest Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
John Schnatter Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Robert Schnatter
- Mother: Mary Beth Ackerson
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Charles W Schnatter, Anne Schnatter Ackerson
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Dating/Girlfriend: To be Updated
- Children: Kristine Schnatter, Beau Schnatter, Danielle Schnatter
John Schnatter Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $400 Million
- Salary: To be Updated
- Source of Income: Entrepreneur
John Schnatter Early Career Experiences
Schnatter is an American businessman and entrepreneur who is best known as the founder and former CEO of Papa John’s Pizza, one of the largest pizza chains in the world. Schnatter started his career in the pizza industry in the early 1980s, and he has had a number of early career experiences that enabled shaped his approach to entrepreneurship and business.
One of his earliest adventures in the pizza industry was performing at his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The tavern served pizza, and Schnatter quickly became interested in the process of making pizza and the potential for starting his own pizza business. In 1984, he began selling pizzas out of the back of his father’s tavern and delivering them to local bars and pubs.
Schnatter’s next big break came when he entered a regional pizza-making competition in Louisville, Kentucky. He won the competition, and the prize money allowed him to purchase equipment and ingredients to start his own pizza business. In 1985, he opened the first Papa John’s Pizza location in Jeffersonville, using a $1,600 loan from his father to get started.
John Schnatter Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
One of Schnatter’s most significant experiences was the founding of Papa John’s Pizza in 1984. Schnatter started the business by selling pizzas out of the back of his father’s tavern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He went on to grow the business into a major pizza chain, with over 5,000 locations in 45 countries.
Schnatter has also been involved in a number of philanthropic and charitable endeavors. In 1997, he founded the Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community, which provides grants to organizations that support youth entrepreneurship, education, and leadership development. He has also donated millions of dollars to support charitable causes, including the Louisville Zoo, the University of Louisville, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
In addition to his business and philanthropic work, he has had a number of notable travel experiences. He has traveled to numerous countries to expand Papa John’s Pizza’s global presence and to explore different cultures and cuisines. He has also been a frequent guest on business and news programs, including CNBC’s “Squawk Box” and Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria.”
John Schnatter Future Aspirations and Goals
In 2018, Schnatter resigned as chairman of the board of Papa John’s International amid controversy over his use of a racial slur during a conference call. Since then, he has been vocal about his desire to regain control of the company, which he founded in 1984. Schnatter still owns a significant stake in Papa John’s and has been critical of the company’s leadership since his departure.
Schnatter has expressed a continued interest in entrepreneurship and has been involved in several business ventures outside of Papa John’s. In 2019, he launched a new pizza chain called “Papa John’s Pizza & Cheesesteaks” in Indiana, which he has described as a “laboratory” for new pizza and sandwich concepts.
Schnatter has been known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial comments in the media. He has expressed a desire to continue building his personal brand, which includes public speaking engagements and appearances on news programs.
He has a long history of charitable giving, particularly to organizations that support education and entrepreneurship. In 2013, he donated $5 million to his alma mater, Ball State University, to create the John H. Schnatter Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise. Schnatter has also donated to the University of Louisville, the Louisville Zoo, and other organizations in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
John Schnatter Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
In 2013, Schnatter donated $5 million to his alma mater, Ball State University, to create the John H. Schnatter Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise. The institute supports research, education, and outreach programs that promote entrepreneurship and free enterprise.
Schnatter has also been a major donor to the University of Louisville, his hometown university. In 2016, he donated $4.6 million to the university to help fund the construction of a new academic center for the athletic department.
Schnatter has also donated to other organizations in the Louisville, Kentucky area, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana and the Louisville Free Public Library.
In addition to financial support, Schnatter has also provided mentorship and support to young entrepreneurs. He has served as a judge for the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and has spoken to entrepreneurship classes at universities across the country.
In 2018, Schnatter donated $1 million to the Louisville Zoo to help fund a new African elephant exhibit. He has also been a longtime supporter of the zoo and has donated funds to support various animal habitats and exhibits.
John Schnatter 40 Pizzas
Schnatter famously claimed in a 2019 interview that he had eaten 40 pizzas in 30 days. The comment sparked a lot of attention and criticism, with many people questioning whether it was even possible to consume that much pizza in such a short amount of time. Some also speculated that Schnatter’s comments were an attempt to draw attention to his ongoing feud with the company’s current management.
John Schnatter House
Schnatter, the founder and former CEO of Papa John’s Pizza, has several properties, including his primary residence located in Anchorage, Kentucky. The house is a large mansion-style property with over 18,000 square feet of living space and sits on 15 acres of land.
In 2019, Schnatter put the house on the market for $22 million, making it one of the most expensive homes for sale in Kentucky at the time. The property features several luxury amenities, including a large swimming pool, a private lake, a movie theater, a gym, and a golf simulator.
John Schnatter Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- Schnatter was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. This award recognized his success in building Papa John’s from a single pizza shop to a major national chain.
- Schnatter was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2007. This honor recognized his entrepreneurial spirit and success in business, as well as his commitment to philanthropy and community service.
- In 2012, Schnatter was named Business Leader of the Year by Louisville Business First. This award recognized his leadership and innovation in the pizza industry, as well as his philanthropic work in the Louisville community.
- Schnatter’s philanthropic and charitable giving has also been recognized with several awards and honors, including the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award and the Kentucky Colonel award.
- In 2019, Schnatter was inducted into the International Franchise Association Hall of Fame. This honor recognized his role in developing and promoting the franchising model, as well as his success in building Papa John’s into a global brand.
John Schnatter Legacy
Schnatter’s legacy has also been impacted by the controversy surrounding his use of a racial slur during a conference call in 2018. The incident led to his resignation as chairman of Papa John’s International and a public backlash against the brand. Schnatter’s comments and actions have continued to generate controversy and criticism, and have raised questions about his legacy as a business leader and public figure.
John Schnatter Anecdotes
According to legend, Schnatter came up with the name “Papa John’s” for his pizza business after struggling to come up with a name that would fit the limited space of his first restaurant’s sign. He decided to use his own nickname, “Papa John,” and the rest is history.
Schnatter was known for his attention to detail when it came to pizza-making. He reportedly once threw out an entire day’s worth of dough after noticing a slight variation in the texture, saying “If it’s not perfect, it’s not Papa John’s.”
As the founder and CEO of a major pizza chain, Schnatter had a busy schedule that often involved traveling between locations. To save time, he reportedly used to commute to work via helicopter, landing on a helipad at the company’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
Schnatter’s love of pizza was so well-known that he even had a personalized license plate on his car that read “Papa 1.”
In 2017, Schnatter made headlines after he blamed declining sales at Papa John’s on the NFL’s handling of player protests during the national anthem. The comments sparked controversy and led to a public dispute between Schnatter and the NFL, ultimately resulting in his resignation as CEO in 2018.
John Schnatter Hobbies and Interests:
Sports: Schnatter is a sports enthusiast, and has been involved in several athletic activities throughout his life. He was a football player in high school and later became a golfer and a racecar driver. In fact, he has even competed in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Bed Races!
Aviation: Schnatter is also interested in aviation, and has a pilot’s license. He has been known to fly his own plane to business meetings and other events.
Philanthropy: In addition to his business interests and hobbies, Schnatter is also passionate about philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes over the years. He has supported organizations focused on education, entrepreneurship, and animal welfare
Collecting Cars: Schnatter is a car enthusiast and has a collection of classic and exotic cars. His collection includes a 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and a 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Schnatter
John Schnatter is a famous American Entrepreneur who established Papa John’s Pizza in 1984. Schnatter stepped down as CEO on January 1, 2018, after remarks he made in November 2017 condemning National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell for allegedly not doing anything regarding national anthem protests by football players.
Schnatter is an American national born on 23 November 1961, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States.
Schnatter stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.78m) tall.
Schnatter was married to his lovely wife Annette Cox.
Schnatter has an approximate net worth of $400 thousand. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the business industry.
Details about Schnatter’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Schnatter is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Schnatter is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Schnatter remains a shareholder of Papa John’s and continues to invest in Anchorage, Kentucky, the greater Louisville area, and the South Florida area.
John Schnatter Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
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