John Schnatter is a father and grandfather, the founder of Papa John’s International, a major philanthropist who cares deeply about investing in tomorrow’s leaders, and one of America’s most iconic entrepreneurs. John’s numerous business achievements and philanthropic efforts have earned him the 1998 National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, and an induction into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2011, John was also inducted into Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga Business School’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Today, John remains a shareholder of Papa John’s who continues to invest in Anchorage, Kentucky, the greater Louisville area and here in Naples.
Naples City Lifestyle: Where were you in your early 20’s?
John Schnatter: In the summer of 1983, I was broke and unemployed. All I really knew was that I loved making pizza.
My dad offered me a job helping him manage his bar that was failing. I took the offer because it was the only one on the table and because I thought I could help turn Mick’s Tavern around. It was hard work to improve the business, but I did it. That’s when I had my “aha” moment and realized that entrepreneurship was my calling. Later, I started selling pizza out of the broom closet at Mick’s. From that broom closet, my dream for life was born. I knew then exactly where I was going and how I was going to get there.
NCL: What was your mindset like and what was important to you during that time frame?
JS: My dad’s bar was $64,000 in debt – I loved my father very much—he was, after all, one of the two most important people in my life—but even before I turned 12, I knew I wanted to succeed where my Dad hadn’t. My mission was to get the bar out of debt – work hard, cut costs, and raise revenues – and that mindset followed me throughout my 20s and 30s.
It wasn’t until I was 37 years old that I had this coach tell me “Vietnam is over, you need to wake up.” He meant that I no longer needed to look over my shoulder like when I was managing Mick’s and lived life on the edge of a knife. Before then, I was operating totally based on the fear of failure and that’s not a healthy outlook in the long run.
NCL: Who are you today?
JS: Today, in essence, I’d say I’m the same person I’ve always been – maybe just a little older and wiser. I’m a dad, a grandfather, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. I’m certainly enjoying the life I built. Fortunately, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been and excited for whatever life has in store for me next.
Even if there is another great business venture ahead, I’ll always feel honored to have built a business where other people could succeed and prosper too, including franchisees and employees. We even paid out $30 million in bonuses throughout the team, from top executives to the custodial staff.
No matter what I’m doing, though, I have four criteria. It’s got to be in my soul and authentic. It must be scalable. It must also be sustainable. And, finally, it must help make the world a better place.
NCL: If you had a second chance at playing life again, would you do it exactly the same way?
JS: For the most part, I wouldn’t change a thing I’ve done in my life. I don’t live with regrets, but I do try to learn from my past decisions and experiences. Although some things didn’t play out exactly how I would have wanted, those things still taught me valuable lessons that got me where I am today.
We built a great company over the 34 years I was there at Papa John’s, focused on rewarding people and producing quality products. While my company seems to have strayed from my founding principles, I am proud of what we accomplished there, and will always support the franchisees who helped me build such a great brand.
NCL: Is who you became what you projected to become in your 20s?
JS: When I started Papa John’s, I knew right from the start that I wanted to compete with Domino’s worldwide. Considering we had over 5,000 stores when I stopped managing the company day-to-day in 2016, I’d say we certainly gave Domino’s and the rest of the pizza delivery business a run for their money. So, I would say from a very young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to become as a person and a businessman, and I fulfilled and exceeded that vision by far.
When you’re young, your family and your experiences build out your character and your values. If you keep those things in focus and never forget where you came from, you’re going to be rock solid in life.