EX-99.1
Published on June 25, 2007
Exhibit 99.1
For more
information, contact:
Chris Sternberg
Sr. Vice President, Corporate Communications
502-261-4934
PAPA JOHNS APPOINTS ALEX W. SMITH TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Louisville, KY (June 25, 2007) Papa Johns International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced the appointment of Alex W. Smith to the companys board of directors.
Recently elected board member and president and chief executive officer of Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE: PIR), Mr. Smith has more than 30 years experience in the retail industry. Prior to Pier 1 Imports, Mr. Smith spent 12 years with the TJX Companies, Inc., an off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. under brands such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, and internationally with brand names such as T.K. Maxx in the UK.
Were honored to have Alex join our board of directors, said Papa Johns founder chairman, John Schnatter. We welcome his retail industry expertise and look forward to his input and advice as we continue to move the Papa Johns brand forward.
Mr. Smith has significant international management experience in operations and merchandising in Asia and Europe. Before joining TJX Companies, Mr. Smith spent five years as managing director of Hong Kong-based Lane Crawford Limited, a leading upscale fashion retailer. Prior to that he was with UK-based department store operator Owen Owen Plc for six years, including serving as managing director, Singapore (1990-1993).
We are pleased to welcome Alex to the Papa Johns board of directors, said Papa Johns president and chief executive officer, Nigel Travis. His retail expertise and international experience will serve Papa Johns well as we continue to grow our brand throughout the world.
Mr. Smith, age 54, holds a BSc from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa Johns is the worlds third largest pizza company. Papa Johns has been rated no. 1 in customer satisfaction among pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for eight years running (1999 - 2007). For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa Johns at www.papajohns.com
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