Papa John's founder John Schnatter resigns as chairman over N-word controversy

close

Video

Papa John's CEO out after criticizing NFL anthem protests

John Schnatter will step down as chief operating officer but remain chairman of the board.

Papa John’s founder John Schnatter resigned as the company’s chairman on Wednesday night after fallout over his use of the n-word during a conference call.

The company released a statement that said the directors had accepted Schnatter’s resignation.

“Papa John’s will appoint a new Chairman in a couple of weeks,” the statement read.

Forbes reported earlier on Wednesday that Schnatter used the n-word on a conference call in May.

The call was specifically designed as a role-playing exercise to prevent future public-relations disasters.

“Colonel Sanders called blacks n—–s,” Schnatter said, before complaining that Sanders never faced public backlash.

The restaurateur had already stepped down as chief executive in January after he caused controversy by criticizing the NFL over their national anthem policy.

This article was originally published by The New York Post.