LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced the
promotion of Steve Ritchie to the position of Chief Operating Officer.
In addition, the Company's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, John Schnatter, will assume the additional role of President of
the Company, continuing to focus on all aspects of the Company's
business, while also acting as brand spokesperson.
"Steve is an outstanding operator with a track record of success, and a
tremendous asset to our entire system," said Schnatter. "Steve and I are
passionate about the Papa John's brand, and will work with our global
franchise and corporate operators and the rest of this outstanding
management team to continue to grow the brand and our quality position
around the world."
In his new role, Mr. Ritchie will lead all aspects of the Company's
global operations, support and training in over 4,400 restaurants in 35
countries. He will also lead the Company's research and development,
quality assurance, PJ Food Service and supply chain functions. As part
of the leadership changes, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative
Officer & Treasurer, Lance Tucker, will assume leadership of the
Company's Information Systems functions, including its online ordering
platform, and the Human Resources function. In their expanded roles,
both Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Tucker will play key roles in the Company's
strategic planning process.
Mr. Ritchie has served in various capacities of increasing
responsibility since joining Papa John's in 1996, including Senior Vice
President, North and Latin American Operations & Global OST from July
2012 to May 2013, Senior Vice President, North American Operations &
Global OST from August 2011 until July 2012, Senior Vice President,
Operations and Global OST from December 2010 until August 2011 and Vice
President, Operations & Global OST from July 2010 until December 2010.
Since 2006, he also has served as a franchise owner and operator of
multiple units in the Company's Midwest Division. Mr. Tucker was
appointed Chief Administrative Officer in July 2012 and Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer in February 2011. Mr. Tucker previously held the
positions of Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President, Strategic
Planning from June 2010 to February 2011, after serving as Chief of
Staff and Vice President, Strategic Planning since June 2009.
Mr. Schnatter created the Papa John's concept and started operations in
1984. As Founder, Chairman, CEO and President, Mr. Schnatter will lead
the Company's management team and continue to focus on marketing,
together with Chief Marketing Officer, Bob Kraut.
About Papa John's
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc.
(NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world's third largest pizza delivery company. For
12 of the past 14 years, consumers have rated Papa John's No. 1 in
customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American
Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John's is the Official Pizza
Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLVIII. For more
information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit Papa
John's at www.papajohns.com,
visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PapaJohns,
or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PapaJohns.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release which are not historical
facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and
uncertainties, including statements about our future business
operations, the growth of our brand and quality position around the
world and statements about our expectations for the performance of our
management team. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which
could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, see "Part I. Item 1A. - Risk Factors" of the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013.
We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or
otherwise.
Papa John's International, Inc.
Lance Tucker, 502-261-4218
Chief
Financial Officer
Source: Papa John's International, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
