Founding and Early Ownership
Papa Johns was founded in 1984 by John Schnatter, also known as "Papa John." Schnatter started the chain in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and grew it into a major national pizza brand. He served as CEO and remained the largest individual shareholder for many years.
Current Ownership Structure
Today, Papa Johns is a publicly traded company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol PZZA. Ownership is divided among public shareholders, institutional investors, and company insiders. John Schnatter has reduced his stake over time but remains associated with the brand.
Corporate Leadership and Governance
The company is led by a board of directors and executive management. Steve Ritchie served as CEO for several years before stepping down, and the company has since continued to operate under new leadership while maintaining its franchise-based model. For more details, visit Papa Johns Investor Relations.
