Papa John’s has got some serious BEEF! And, I am not talkin’ meat lovers pizza, people. The CEO of Papa John’s, John Schnatter, is blaming the NFL for their recent drop in sales. Papa John’s is one of the NFL’s most vocal sponsors, so, it’s a pretty harsh accusation. Schnatter believes that the way the NFL is handling the whole “kneeling during the national anthem protests” are truly hurting their business altogether. On Wednesday, Schnatter spoke out against the companies longtime partner saying:
The NFL has hurt us by not resolving the current debacle to the players’ and owners’ satisfaction.
So, let me try and get this straight Mr. Papa John –
The reason you are failing to sell pizzas is a direct correlation with individual professional football players using their platform to try and speak out against social injustices? Seems like it makes sense. I can completely understand Schnatter’s frustration with his company’s stock being down 24%. That is a significant amount for a company to be down, so yeah I understand he’s looking for a reason but come on Papa John, you’ve got to be better than that. Unfortunately, during a company meeting he had to discuss the company’s abysmal quarterly earnings Schnatter had this to say:
This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago, Like many sponsors, we are in contact with the NFL and once the issue is resolved between the players and the owners, we are optimistic that the NFL’s best years are ahead. But good or bad, leadership starts at the top, and this is an example of poor leadership.
While never actually mentioning NFL commissioner, Rodger Goodell. There is no doubt there have been shots fired from the large pizza chain. Not many people are buying Schnatter’s bogus reasoning for the reason Papa John’s is struggling. I mean, when is the last time you had Papa John’s? If there is any other pizza available within your area, like any other pizza place, odds are you’ll go there. Pizza isn’t some commodity that you rarely come across. Most places you can throw a rock and hit 5 places that serve pizza. So, maybe look in the mirror Papa J’s. Your pizza is just not up to par. Like me, Twitter has been having a field day with Papa John’s after the CEO’s statement was released.
Twitter Wasn’t Impressed
Papa John's out here makin their pizzas in Easy Bake Ovens but blame their lack of sales on black player's kneeling during the anthem. 🤔😣😂😂😂
— Thomas Q. Jones (@thomasqjones) November 2, 2017
Papa John's blames athletes kneeling for poor sales instead of the people kneeling in front of their toilets after eating his shit.
— Gnarlton the Enemy Within He/Him (@Crash2411) November 2, 2017
Papa Johns pizza tastes like scapegoat cheese with ketchup on a crust of stale excuses.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) November 1, 2017
Papa Johns pizza is trash. That's why their stock is declining. Easily the most ridiculous thing I've heard today to blame protests.
— ShadyPenguinn (@Shadypenguinn) November 1, 2017