Former Papa John’s CEO on the call that cost him his career

Former Papa John’s CEO John Schnatter discusses the 2018 call during which he used a racial slur that led to him being removed from the company and the audio he claims proves his side of the story.
ABC News Live Prime, Weekdays at 7EST & 9EST
WATCH the ABC News Live Stream Here: • LIVE: Latest News Head...
SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: bit.ly/2vZb6yP
Watch More on abcnews.go.com/
LIKE ABC News on FACEBOOK / abcnews
FOLLOW ABC News on TWITTER: / abc
#ABCNLPrime #PapaJohn #CEO #RacialSlur #Career #Removed

[@SoulfulSmokie]

It actually sounds like they set him up... all to steal his business.

[@mr.77cutty93]

F**k Kfc too. He stole it. F**k aunt jemima that was stolen. Anyone that believes they are safe from losing everything. F**k u too. Hope his grandkids are mixed race.

[@helenpierce-lamoureux3124]

I'm believing that 'his side of the story' IS TRUE: that HE wasn't 'slinging' the word around in any offensive way but to ILLUSTRATE another situation where it WAS.

[@cowlords13]

They did set him up, very sad. He went on Fox to explain everything. He genuinely seems like a very nice and smart guy. I feel bad for the guy.

[@TheRealVivia]

Same.

[@chaslous]

@@cowlords13 you feel bad for him using a racial slur? I’m losing faith in humanity

[@danielcastillo4537]

When someone records you without your permission that's usually a sign they are out to get you.

[@turbulentmk]

Could it be possible that people record you as protection against you?

[@danielcastillo4537]

@@turbulentmk That's possible too.

[@godallowsuturns679]

Daniel Castillo yes now a days you have to record everything and be mindful that they are recording you.

[@axkevin]

an innocent person isn’t worried about being recorded

[@danielcastillo4537]

@@axkevin We live in a soundbite oriented society. If you are going to leak a recording to the media release the whole interview in its entirety. Not bits and pieces.

[@Jon.E69]

For those just watching this, he was later exonerated after an investigation by FBI former director, stated he was conducting a training and used the term not as a racial slur, but to describe a situation where a certain franchise owner described its general population who purchases their food. It was taken out of context and used it to show his disdain for racism.

[@jponz85]

Ok but what does this all mean for his company? Is he back on the chairman board?

[@UnrealSickness]

Nearly EVERYONE uses the N word among other racist words, mostly as a joke. I do it, my entire family, ppl at my job, all my friends. But to lose ur job cause of it its just insane....This country is imploding in its own stupidity lol.

[@joellebonaparte1461]

Okok so.... Did the sales go back up 🤔

[@Jon.E69]

@@jponz85 comparing the stock value from the year of the incident to now, I would say their sales increased

[@jponz85]

@@Jon.E69 back to normal for them or a long road ahead? Lol

[@Relsreallife]

Wow…the way everyone flipped this is crazy. I wasn’t expected to agree with him but he really didn’t do anything wrong

[@aerystargaryenii2565]

No he got caught doing the shady things he was use to doing everyday

[@Relsreallife]

@@aerystargaryenii2565 Well no one has proof of that. He said it in the call but he didn’t call somebody it. Definitely not how it was portrayed in media.

[@aerystargaryenii2565]

@@Relsreallife if his ability to think before he speaks fails him then I doubt this is a Slippin Jimmy one time oopsie. Hell even his son said after this Happened that he hasn't made a pie in years until he got fired.if they had pizza he would have a chef make it. Dude got too comfortable on the top.

[@Relsreallife]

@@aerystargaryenii2565 I don’t think he said it as a slip up I think he said it because he didn’t think he wouldn’t be the one in the hot seat because he was quoting someone. I can’t speak for all black people, but I’m black and he definitely didn’t deserve to be portrayed the way he was. I’m the context of the situation it really wasn’t that serious. And I don’t get your point at the end about him not making pizzas anymore. So what?

[@aerystargaryenii2565]

@@Relsreallife so what he was just another rotten CEO who wanted to be the spokesperson instead of actually helping the Papa John joints that are struggling and itsemployees. It wasn't until after he got fired he started going crazy about his knowledge with Pizza and how the company wouldn't survive without him even though Papa Johns has been on a steady decline since the mid 2000s. If they really "overthrew" him what real profits would the bored of directors even have after getting rid of the dude in all their commercials and founded the company. They most likely knew something the public didn't and didn't want a Jared controversial like Subway not saying Papa John is like that but he was probably on the verge on doing something incredibly harmful for their reputation and wouldn't go silently so they had to trap him.

[@JoMama123451234]

Never trust a company called laundry service, except to clean your clothes.

[@wrldonwill]

It's a play on words. But I get your point.

[@Celery296]

lol

[@tabernaclejones6115]

@@wrldonwill what's the play on words exactly? I can't figure it out

[@wrldonwill]

@@tabernaclejones6115 They're supposed to be professional cleaners. Clean up your "dirty laundry". Pretty ironic.

[@AI13JoedyNokiano]

🤷🏻 I guess you can say that laundry service wanted to wash his career away 😭

[@jtmichaelson]

The only thing that made his pizza the best is the little cups of butter garlic sauce for the crust. Otherwise, a pizza is a pizza is a pizza when it comes to these guys. Shop local to get the best pizzas.

[@errolm8313]

All truth. Local pizza IS the best pizza

[@sirloin4372]

Wrong papa johns is awesome and some of the best tasting pizza around.

[@DaveCM]

@@sirloin4372 it is disgusting. I feel sorry for you that you've never had good pizza

[@NOT-A-Monolith]

@@sirloin4372 mate go local even if it's more expensive

[@SooSmokie]

@@sirloin4372 your opinion. Donatoes is better

[@kushdaddykushtheog576]

Please I am black and there is context to what he is saying . Literally he doesn’t need to apologize. If a teacher says “slave owners used to call black people n****r “ should they be fired. It’s absolutely ridiculous and there are more things we can do to help people of color .

[@davelowets]

Help? Help starts with you, by using those things on the ends of your arms called hands. Get to work.

[@Cle_M3]

@@davelowets Crazy how I could figure out your IQ from one comment. Insane…

[@raysha9932]

They do this to undermined the movement

[@smileyrulesinthe818]

Well said!!!

[@matthewlambert8789]

The word honkey and cracker should be highlighted as well

[@officialteamroc]

He got kicked to the curb for that!!!! I'm ethnic and I remember meeting this guy!!! He was the man!!! He gave me a hug and actually talked with me about starting a company and what not... he's one of the biggest reasons I followed my dream job!!!! I know this guy isnt racist!!! Big up my man I hope you get it back 🙏🙏🙏 and kick them idiots to the streets!!!

[@clearelement1051]

The most obvious corporate take over I had ever seen. The company really must've wanted him out badly.

[@peacebeyondpassion2]

No, they wanted his Company, that's what they wanted. And they got it!

[@andrewmcvey7696]

@@peacebeyondpassion2 you're both saying the same thing

[@jaredrice4612]

@@andrewmcvey7696 🤣

[@andrewmcvey7696]

@@jaredrice4612 I swear she was trying to argue for arguing sake 😆

[@ShakurCapital]

He’s doing fine and Shaq benefited a lot to

[@moses9426]

Wait! So the company he actually hired to save him actually set him up? Damn!

[@thesinaclwon]

Nah. Unless they knew his ass was racist and used the N word all the time so they knew he would slip up on tape or others told them that he used the word regularly in conferences.

[@djabroni_brochacho4644]

I doubt he's a racist, he just used the word while quoting an incident word for word. If he was a rapper we wouldn't be having this conversation...

[@Avalanche2]

Yup, sure looks like it.

[@suen5006]

I was confused. I thought "Laundry Service" was actually a real laundry service! Lol!

[@laleona776]

@@thesinaclwon wow, ignorance must be bliss for you huh? I wish I could go back to being a naive 15yr like you are @ what 30? 😂😂😂 keep believing the lies they feed you. Poor thing.

[@D-Z321]

This guy needs to hire Johnny Depp’s law team.

[@clbrodrigue]

We need to learn how to forgive people for their mistakes. I don't believe he's a racist. To take company that belongs to him is wrong and appalling. This company also conspired against this man.

[@joman388]

What mistake?,but you are correct ,folks need forgiven when they ask for it and are sincere for their mistakes, as that is what Jesus does and are we all not glad of that? thanks

[@samanthaj4800]

“Papa johns founder”, no he IS Papa John

[@ryanl6224]

Xd ong

[@thedude8976]

FACT. SAD THEY CAN TAKE YOUR COMPANY AWAY WITH BEING ACCUSED OF SAYING A WORD.. THE SAME WORD USED IN URBAN SITUATIONS IS THE NORM.. I DON'T LIKE HEARING IT FROM ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. I FEEL IT IS VULGAR AND A SIGN OF LACKING EDUCATION. PAPA JOHN WAS SET UP.. THAT'S HOW I SEE IT... NEVER HAD A PIZZA FROM PAPA JOHN'S. SO NO CLUE ON THE PRODUCT.

[@RainWasTaken]

Well, Papa John did found Papa John’s lol So it’s Papa John. Owner of the Papa John’s Papa John’s. Like that guy Doug Dimmadome. Owner of the Dimmesdale Dimmadome.

[@queensounds7241]

😂 😂 😂 for real tho and I’m black but that title is wack

[@donhattery3383]

Andy not trying to start an argument with you Brother, and at same time I have to ask you if you really believe he was set up. . . HOW COULD THEY SET HIM UP IF HE DIDN'T SPEAK INAPPROPRIATELY THIS WAY🙄🤔 JOHN 8:32

[@vincentodomscatl24]

With the name "Laundry Service" would you ever expect anything but being hung out to dry?

[@chapterrv]

Very poetic

[@BLJ023]

Factz! He needs to get everything that he is owed. I thought he used the word to be negative and he didn't. Dang I owe him an apology because I real deal stopped messing with Papa John's because of this. N I love them peppers with the pizza. Real deal though, I apologize for thinking you were a racist. I'm ordering a PJP's again for sure.

[@sbonelli]

This was perfect.

[@Trumaine225]

N-I-C-E

[@CvCipher]

This man will forever live in my mind at THE pizza man. Whenever i think of pizza i think of this dude. Unfortunate his own company betrayed him. He didn't deserve it.

[@peteramenta]

The guy should totally be reinstated. He didn't use it negatively

[@LoveAngelBaby]

How in the f*** ?! 🤨 he was making an example smh 🤦🏽‍♀️ they take down who they want when they want.

[@PinkFella_]

It’s funny how I’ve seen more white ppl complaining about of it lol

[@marcsman07]

It's crazy that intent gets thrown out the window. Should he have said it? Eh, probably not but he wasn't even directing that word at someone. 🤦‍♂️ This whole time I was thinking he did, and it took this news story to clear that up for me, it's sad.

[@evetsegap]

@@PinkFella_ Just proves that there are people from every race that can't think, who are ruled by emotions like little kids.

[@Anonymous-hk4ny]

@@marcsman07 intent doesn’t matter. If you’re not black don’t say the n word

[@marcsman07]

@@Anonymous-hk4ny LOL ok.

[@shakithacowart]

Now listening to the full call, HE GOT SET UP

[@derekjet7715]

This country is insane! What a ridiculous conversation. The guy was forced out of his own company for referencing someone else using a word? Is this the sensitivity level that we have reached?! Anyone who is impacted by what he said needs a team of therapists!

[@testymann5045]

Yes. Free speech. 😂

[@JohnSmith-rz7oi]

I wish we had this same standard for politicians.

[@jj72610]

This pretty much sums up cancel culture: twisting someone’s words to ruin their life just because the opportunity is there

[@Kannon_Ball]

That’s how they do it

[@allendavis5123]

I was thinking that, literally debauchery and it probably happens so often with cancel culture

[@jj72610]

It’s terrible. We are human beings with flaws not social justice robots.

[@eman151511]

Adults are more sensitive than the kids I went to school with a few years ago.

[@sonnyvakil9193]

The funny thing is that the right wanted to cancel the nfl players which then caused him all this issue and in the left canceled him for god knows what. Lol it's like cancel from the right and left fucked him both ways.

[@Dat_Scrub]

“We didn’t leak the call” Ok well I doubt Papa John fucking did it

[@JohnWickkkk]

You swore!! 4$ for the swear jar $starmantesla

[@jackbarnes9728]

There you go using logic against a liberal tactic. You know they don't appreciate that.

[@aboutthegiggins4236]

@@jackbarnes9728 shh it's time for all the lefty's to claim that the right cares more about cancel culture because they wont drink fucking Coke whilst this gem floats around

[@jehugo66]

No one says “N_____” unless they’re comfortable using that word.

[@jessydb2]

Lol

[@linnybug719]

This is just how ridiculous things have gotten.

[@kernelxsanders]

I'm totally with him on "cancel culture". It's nothing more than malicious intent towards people who have their unjustified negative biases towards someone or something. Anyone who engages in "cancel culture" should really reevaluate everything about their lives as to why they are just a shitty human.

[@seanthe100]

People can choose to support who tf they want its a free country.

[@Morocco_Mo]

Context is everything, I can't believe this needs to be said to ADULTS

[@HOTTIUSMAXIMUS]

The ones raising hell about it AREN’T adults!

[@jsufan8040]

We have few real adults in America now days! Most have the intellect of a 1 year old! And that’s putting a 1 year down!! 😂 🤔 😡

[@DarkNJuju]

@@HOTTIUSMAXIMUS I am 50 year old black woman who has been called monkey by a group of white men. You think this man wouldn't do the same? Give me a break.

[@darkmount5101]

@Shrek Swamp based

[@scurry357]

@@darkmount5101 what does that mean???

[@ramonr3921]

Moral of the story: dont get too many people involved in a company that YOU built

[@bill1936]

That and make sure you always control 51%.

[@neteruhathor]

Facts!!

[@neteruhathor]

@@timastimeline also facts!🤣

[@RaySw89]

It maybe just don’t be a racist and you won’t need to resign from your own company

[@neteruhathor]

@@RaySw89 🤣🤣

[@So98902]

I don't think I've ever heard somebody suggest getting Papa John's in my entire life

[@yoster77]

He CITED the word. It's like reading it out of a book. That's SOOO different than USING it and CALLING someone that. This makes NO NO NO sense to me. Words are EMPTY without putting them into USE.

[@gtg127m1]

This is interesting. I had always thought he called someone the “n-word”. I didn’t know he was quoting someone. I don’t think he should have been fired for that.

[@wmrayburn7620]

Me too. I wonder why GMA and other new sources didn't tell us? Are they prejudiced? Is MSM really fake news like they've been accused of?

[@ThomasPartida]

We need to be clear here, he never got fired, he resigned.

[@TheHaratashi]

@@ThomasPartida It's the same thing dufus - he was forced out.

[@KazmirRunik]

The guy was actually waiting for his way out of the position, and this was his excuse. It's why they already had someone planned to take over the position. Papa John played us all! It's Papa John's world, we're just living in it.

[@mswriter3612]

This is how CNN quoted Trump all the time

[@michaelturner6358]

This is so stupid. He didn’t call anyone the N word. He simply mentioned that someone else said the word. The Racism label is so misused. God forbid all of us have our calls, private conversations or even thoughts recorded and brought out in public. Meanwhile, the world has more important issues than picking on a pizza guy.

[@LarkinsDeLaMare]

South park did it already Season 11 episode 1

[@prestonheck]

I 1000% Agree people are fake and pretend to be offended to syphon some of that sweet attention

[@BeGood4Eva]

They ALL have, many times, even you. They just weren't recorded most times, but they have and probably are doing it right now.

[@innertubez]

It’s ok plenty of other people say the N word with hate in their hearts. Mostly MAGA types

[@leeleonard3826]

He's a LIAR!!!!! He lied on Col Sanders and then hated on blacks in sports, BLM, and agree on all of TRUMP'S hatred.

[@DevinTheGardener]

The media outlets should also be held accountable. They have destroyed many good things in my lifetime.

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

True. I remember them saying something along the lines of “papa John’s founder used racial slur”, so I assumed he was racist.

[@SIRENTAROT]

Context. If you aren’t sure what context means, Google is your BFF.

[@GTfrmBK]

its like even the lady is tryna get him to mix up his words💀

[@MrDiditall1]

Or could just be trying to be sure that he's sure about what he's saying

[@rickymartinez2316]

@@MrDiditall1 I believe Papa John....he speaks the truth and been speaking THE TRUTH.....they are just a bunch of( nuggas)....real tawk.

[@MrDiditall1]

@@rickymartinez2316 I believe him too but he wasn't calling anyone the n word

[@KaidudeHasanSarfaraz]

@@rickymartinez2316 go back to sleep ricky

[@theofficeisadvancehumor3017]

@@rickymartinez2316 A Spanish person being racist towards Black people. Get help

[@derekjlight]

To add to this, John walked away from the company with HUNDREDS of millions of dollars in stock. He doesn't need the money. He's trying to prove a point, and I for one believe him.

[@pamelaneibuhr6959]

Agreed

[@MsQwerty28]

I don't think in this content he was using the word

[@mirandamccathern4467]

I believe him too!

[@lloydtapia3989]

Its sad cuz the ones that cry the most walk around calling other races what they choose to but once the other race says something back they wana cry.cut it out and grow up already

[@ray24051]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aprilecotton2060]

Well tbh I or anyone I know didn’t even know or care about this. He started this company, and fed me and my grandmother the best pizza before she past the next day, and for 20 years since. We love you papa John.

[@ATTITUDEELMORedGuyAttitude]

Is the full interview available?

[@DigitalKS]

A company that is supposed to clean your image records a call and destroys it even further, I think they need to re-think their business strategy lol.

[@fernydellacruz]

To be fair he shouldn't really have said the word he could have just said "n word"

[@turboredcart]

They do make a good pizza tho

[@BrightElk]

@fernydellacruz while I agree with your comment. He did use it in good faith context. So he wasn’t calling anyone the word. While I agree and I think he now knows he should have respected the word far more I don’t think he deserved what they did to him. They took it way way too far.

[@trustmeimapotato4708]

@@fernydellacruz i think he was in the whole right to say it but the other bitches literally framed him making it seem like he used it in a derogatory manner when he clearly has respect for the sales and doesn't care about anything else that would drag his business to the ground

[@attatawil]

I feel like it was people inside his company that wanted to screw him and “laundry service” was working for those interests

[@MidwestComet]

Now this is ridiculous LMAO why y'all mad at this man, this whole time I thought he was calling Black people slurs smh

[@romariosmith422]

Facts fam

[@ronbenjamin4351]

Lol

[@marcusa4529]

That’s because he did call black people slurs. No one uses a word to say they don’t use that word. He even said he was trying to rid his vocabulary of the n word (which means he has used it so much it’s a part of his vocabulary). And he said NFL players had lost their brains and all beat their wives (which group of NFL players do you think he was referring too?)

[@democracymanifest2626]

@@marcusa4529 Biden did just that you know?

[@randomcreature3235]

@@marcusa4529 All of them, as he said "NFL Players"

[@Fester_]

If we are everyday familiar with curse words and such, why are they so offensive to some?

[@mentalasylumescapee6389]

it depends who says it, if powerful people say it then people get offended. i don't care myself because i listen to rap songs. but some people are weak an want a reason to blame somebody

[@urmother2.057]

Dammm I’m only seeing this a year later

[@TheShooteR28]

Damn, He never called anyone the N word. The news and media had me thinking the opposite all this time SMFH. I hope he gets his company back and his image is cleared.

[@proudconservative2158]

Just imagine how much that happens everyday to so many people. And people wonder why the world is going crazy

[@precooked-bacon]

Business is business. It was never about the word. No one even cared, his own team ratted him out. They did that because they were trying to kick him out anyway. It's that simple. They used the n-word as a pawn to get him out.

[@SAAN27]

And the same person that recorded that and is offended probably uses the n word all the time. This is why I wish we could eradicate the word.

[@kayjay3898]

That wouldn’t fit in their agenda! They’ve got to villainize anyone that doesn’t follow their globalist plan

[@marewaltwms1]

His comment to nip the protest in the bud. Which is about what is happening to us.

[@beautifulme1618]

Y’all assassinated this man’s character over a word that he simply used as an example how another person used it before but also explained that he wouldn’t never use it that negative word himself! Wow!

[@-B_G-]

Only a Huwhyte man could be persecuted and drug thru the mud for using a word. Rappers and everybody else use it in every other sentence and it is perfectly fine but they label the word as the worst word in the American language? Double standards galore smh.

[@zelebigztv8347]

Well that cancel culture for ya

[@invadingminds]

I think that if you weren't already comfortable using the word then you wouldn't use it even in that context.

[@-B_G-]

Invading Minds- I know plenty of ppl that are comfortable using the word in every and any context, and none of them are Hwhyte. In fact I hear it every day in rap songs and conversations between ppl that are supposedly most offended by it?

[@sluggak1363]

@@-B_G- you do know that when y'all said it there was a culture with it as well and that culture was to degrade us. Now we use a word that obviously was never going to be deleted from history to show brotherhood within are race. My question how is it a double standard when you say it to talk down we say it to greet why are u bent on that word becuase your mad blacks can say one word u cant

[@LibertarianGal]

I don't care about the n-word really, but if he has knowledge of hate crimes where blacks were dragged to death like James Byrd, he needs to tell the authorities about it. There are no known hate crimes like that in Indiana, so if he witnessed something like that, it shouldn't taken lightly. That was the most disturbing part about the comments for me.

[@arthurdub7901]

As nice as it’d be to have papa John back, their pizza quality had already gone down by the time this thing happened. They were my favorite delivery pizza during the latter half of my grade school years though!

[@user-wv7ss2fc4j]

Wow. When all this went down, all I heard was that “papa John’s racist, he was recorded saying the n-word”. I’m sorry to say that I was duped and believed that narrative. Then I saw the video where he promised a” day of reckoning” and I just thought he was nuts. Turns out he was taking the truth all along... amazing. I hope he can find peace, I’m afraid the damage is already done, unfortunately.

[@candycakes3886]

Don't feel bad because I was told the same and had the same thoughts.... until I watched this vid🤔

[@simonlong4718]

ditto

[@AnthonyMartin3zyahoo]

Listen to a rap song and they drop n bombs in every verse 😂

[@star666lane3]

So was I. I will never trust the media again. They have race baited me for the last time

[@proudconservative2158]

Just imagine how many times the media does this to people all the time, this isn’t just a one off this just might be the first you’re noticing of it

[@Rick_Sanchez_G420]

It seems his company wanted him out, hired laundry services who then attacked his character with out of context clips.

[@Rick_Sanchez_G420]

@@darreldash your nan is cringe.

[@BloopersINCjr]

@@Rick_Sanchez_G420.

[@Concraft]

#FreePapaJohn

[@CamMcCann]

The tape does exonerate him. The interviewer supposing that people would think he "didn't learn the lesson" is dead wrong.

[@JumeckRafeal]

Papa John's is dangerous. I gained over 10 pounds messing around with their pizza and cinnamon pies.

[@MochaHontas420]

🤣

[@nellienell9746]

Lol

[@Sherise-Nicola]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@WhatZitTooYaaa]

I know what you mean, That 3 cheese blend is deadly

[@Aj-kp1bt]

🤣🤣🤣

[@mattsmith3872]

I hope he wins that lawsuit. I’ve thought this whole time he CALLED someone that. This is insane.

[@Jay-Niner]

“He used a racial slur in a business call” sounds so bad... and then you hear what actually happened. Even without the extra recording that shows malicious intent, he never did anything.

[@constancevkonyves499]

Democratic politics is ruining all businesses it’s a disgrace

[@constancevkonyves499]

Me too I hope he wins

[@Skeeeeeyeeeeee]

Chrissy Bee shut your dumb ass up. You SJWs are taking this stuff too far. Stop pretending to be offended by everything. You can accomplish things without playing the race card

[@train5640]

What good does it even do you if he wins or not?🤣 he's a closet racists just like most of you 🤣🤣🤣🤷🏾‍♂️

[@lintraharrington3062]

And this is why you shouldn't jump too quick to take your company public.

[@Mike-ff7ib]

So as soon as he paraphrased another person using the word, dollar signs $$$ popped up in the minds of those who took him down to fill their pockets with cash.

[@Migger_29]

Art of deflection. While everyone is focused on what racist phrase he said, someone has acquired his positions and assets.

[@capitolmobrecords8720]

That's his problem, and anyone else that deals with the media.

[@xerxeszero586]

He lost his position but im sure he still has ,millions of dollars and shares in the company😂😂😂

[@Rem694u2]

@@xerxeszero586 He was forced to sell like 300 million in shares or something so he lost ownership. So he's piss rich still. He still has some shares, but he has like no say in what goes on anymore and he loved his business and was focused on keeping quality high.

[@CrystalMang0]

@@xerxeszero586 Doesn't matter if he's rich. Point is someone else has taken his brand away

[@dantheanimator5072]

@@xerxeszero586 did you not hear....he made the company in his dads closet. Now he doesn’t have it because he said a word that’s used millions of times online, on every rap album, and on non-age restricted videos on KZbin Even Bill Maher used it not long ago on HBO but he kept his brand, show, shares and companies

[@deondramarowa]

This interviewer did a terrible job questioning John about this incident. She was very presumptive about his intent in even referring to the n-word. It is clear he was not using the word with racist intent whatsoever. Very clear!

[@theshadowknows5004]

Well.... whensoever is the WORD ever USED without being racially intent?

[@davejackson8047]

Ms you are BEAUTIFUL"!!

[@hajamariekamara6163]

How do u use a racial slur without racist intent???

[@jugganuat6440]

John may not have used the word with racist intent but it’s clear what side he is on as it relates to police brutality against blacks which puts him in the same category as the other racist and he can’t never be trusted again. Once exposed as a racist in amerikkka never accept them as anything else.

[@shuggahfree1620]

@@jugganuat6440 Amen!

[@WhatsupPattaya]

Man he got shafted. I spent a few years in Thailand and it’s amazing you never hear anyone there ever use that word.

[@Lefuhq3]

This is one of the first cases of "I'm not black but I'm offended" I've seen. Since then it hasn't been the last sadly.

[@countchocula5379]

This is almost thee most kindergarten-ie thing I’ve ever seen.

[@bobsmith-jc9mj]

That's cancel culture for you. The most whiny, sensitive,cry baby, racist, fascist democrat people are now in charge of social media. Are you "woke" enough America???

[@dgillian183]

Exacty! It’s crazy hearing 2 adults being forced to say “N-word”. Everyone, white, black, brown, yellow or red, we’ve all said it at least once or twice!! It’s in the dictionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@therealAirRover]

Its actually not though because this cost him his career, and the company millions of dollars. It is absurd. He was 100% setup and the media railroaded him. I don't like the guy, but he got a raw deal. The real lesson is to not trust anyone and don't say anything that can be used against you.

[@minutemanoutdoors7730]

Papa said a bad word wahhhh

[@jewlmarch8904]

@@therealAirRover the problem here is that this isn’t a case of him saying something that was used against him. It is rather a case of what he said was TWISTED against him. I hope he takes the company for everything they’ve got, and the former CEO gets his just reward.

[@erichamilton285]

I'm not sure I would have ever trusted a supposedly reputable company called Laundry Service in the first place.

[@StingofTruth]

They took john to the cleaners

[@lexie02jones25]

@@StingofTruth 😂😂 bruh

[@StingofTruth]

@@lexie02jones25 i can't believe nobody else said that... Great one liner.

[@esmeraldaavila-claeys9688]

or the media for reporting without facts.

[@robertwalker8716]

🤣🤣 facts laundry service

[@FogMC]

Bro it takes so long for them to just get to the clip of him saying it 💀

[@letsmakethefuture4431]

Lindsey Davis was right to press him for the first 2-3 times but the final 10 times she tried to fluster him by insisting his remarks were racist, she was being as bad as the original media reports that falsely ruined his reputation. She should have been treating him as a victim here and acting much more sympathetic. Even her final comment ("it remains to be seen...") was basically saying she still thought he was a monster. What kind of journalist does not change her opinion now that the truth has come out?

[@lena-mariag.louis-charles3579]

This twisted tale describes today's American society in a nutshell - it's beyond scary.

[@reasonforliving3174]

True!

[@DizzyDsvids2Please]

True its sad

[@therealogbaggy470]

Then rappers need to stop saying it

[@MJ95630]

Yep!!

[@krunkle5136]

Shows the tendency for moral self-righteousness in America.

[@takingagamble7032]

Man they put A LOT of makeup on him

[@myozbubble]

His picture is used as a reference in the dictionary for 'mealy mouth'. I don't know whether he meant to use a word in a derogatory manner or not. He shouldn't have even used the 'n' word. No one should use it. It NEVER means anything positive or good. My point is...who cares if he was using it as a descriptor for himself or in reference to someone else using it? His time has come and gone. The door is closed.

[@DarthVaderForce125]

@@myozbubble He’ll be back and what happened to him was a straight set up. A company he worked hard to build eventually pushed him out for some bs. The ones in charge now are running the company into the ground because they think they know what’s best. Low quality control, cheap ingredients and options people don’t give a damn about. They lost touch on what the average consumer wants. That’s why Dominos is #1 in pizza versus all other companies. That wasn’t always the case. He made a mistake get over it. Rap videos constantly say the n word but no one bats an eye. It’s ok if blacks use it but if one white person does they’re the devil. Lol what hypocrisy.

[@realestjokeinthedumpster5172]

@@DarthVaderForce125 you don't get...he's a douchnozze like the cardboard pizza 🙄

[@DarthVaderForce125]

@@realestjokeinthedumpster5172 That’s your opinion and your entitled to it. What he said was taken out of context by people that were looking to push him out of his own company. They were a bunch of snakes looking at any opportunity to make there move. The funny part is they thought they could do better then what was already put in place. The company that was once considered to have good pizza at an affordable price turned into a pile of crap. Dominos did right and jumped past them to the #1 spot.

[@dewilew2137]

@@myozbubble that’s none of your business, really.

[@alwaysbeeurself]

Good thing the recording was shared so at least we could make our own opinion about it.

[@jeanne89]

He did not use the word to degrade anyone. He used it to “explain” but does not support it. It seems like he was setup. This should not destroy a man. This is just ridiculous.

[@pangolothian]

There's literally recorded audio from Jason Stein in this video saying they're setting him up. It's nuts.

[@carbine090909]

And he uses the word too!

[@thelastboyscott]

That’s what he paid for! Right?

[@powsniffer0110]

Haha really?? Wow.. crazy. He still shouldn't have said it

[@ljsims13]

Just rolled off the tongue ain’t it

[@ChristianGibbons777]

Even if, the founder used the N word. It doesn’t always mean your racist. People overreact to everything nowadays. Even non racial stuff.

[@nathanrod2334]

I won’t be surprised if this “laundry service “ company is somehow tied with the board of directors

[@babyhandgrenade4004]

Me too

[@maaanuervin]

This!

[@geofffesh2080]

Epstien and the CIA also?

[@LiusFamilyChannel]

yeah for real, sounds like they were trying to screw him over the whole time!!!

[@prettyhandsomegang5227]

Most likely

[@mavdotj]

3:36 *THIS ARTICLE IS MORE THAN 2 YEARS OLD* bruh y’all couldn’t get someone to remove that before taking the screenshot?

[@myravictoria8784]

What a wicked set up of those that should be protecting him; terribly shameful.

[@ladienight10]

Oh Lordt! This man wasn’t trying to be racist. Seriously, pick your battles. He was absolutely set-up, and maybe the board wanted to get rid of him hence hiring Laundry to do a smear campaign. Also, I work in marketing and see EXACTLY what is happening. Laundry definitely wanted to trap him.

[@rianweston-dodds6247]

Exactly , this is fucked

[@joegaiters5462]

I can see both sides; he was for sure set up, but maybe the set up just showed his true color. Maybe there is a bigger picture, laundry could have been hearing him be racist for a long time and just caught him? Cant jump to conclusions here

[@ladienight10]

@@joegaiters5462 I can see that as well. We live in a time where everyone is trying to get someone for past behavior, so it seems like a huge setup, however, as you mentioned, maybe he was this way in prior meetings and they felt the need to put it out there. That said, because I work in the same industry as Laundry, and know what a marketing and PR strategy looks like, THIS is not what you do if you are trying to save or work with someone’s reputation. Also, they violated NDA’s by leaking what he said. I still think the way he used the N-word isn’t racist, but an argument can be made for how comfortable he was saying it because you then have to ask yourself how many times has he said it in the past in a more aggressive way, for lack of a better way to state it. Also, I absolutely don’t believe that Kernel Sanders never said the N-word! That said, we’ll see what happens after the case is over. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@jlakagreat1190]

@@joegaiters5462 wild goose chase sir

[@ryugo7713]

@@ladienight10 I agree with your op but I disagree with an argument being made about how comfortable he sounded saying a word. If a person has a thought then translates that thought to English so they can communicate the thought, why not say it exactly as they thought it? Maybe people should censor their own thoughts. Or not.

[@DWGuitar111]

A company called “Laundry Service” makes more money if you’re covered in mud.

[@shannonstibor6967]

A company called Laundry Service makes me think of exactly what they did.... airing out dirty laundry. They played dirty and made something out of nothing. I get it... it's a sensitive word, unless you're african american, and then apparently it's fine. But he meant NO malicious intent and simply said what someone had said. He said it's a word he'd never use on his own, he said if he could go back he'd say "the n word", etc. I kind of feel bad for him the way she kept going after him about the use of the word. He said he was dumb, he said he was sorry, he said it was for context, not something HE uses personally, he said he'd do it differently in a heartbeat. He lost everything. Give him a break. I wish that word didn't exist. I wish racism didn't exist. It's all stupid. Respect everyone unless they truly give you a reason not to. Who cares about skin color? People suck.

[@bodyofhope]

Oh snap.

[@jenniferatwell9698]

Right? The name just makes them sound like they'd be doing some shady business.

[@drink15]

Its a pretty good name considering what services they offer

[@puredust5797]

It's weird seeing him in something other than papa john commercials

[@nathanbradleyf777]

THAT is what he said to get fired from his own company?? This world is so ridiculous now. I'm disgusted.

[@hexagonmagnetics569]

I’m black, and even I think he got setup!!! damn…

[@skepticalbutopen4620]

I’m black and I totally agree.

[@riseuplight]

Thank you!

[@VibeinATLien]

Sambo

[@antidoteforlife9460]

I'm white, and I think this is ridiculous, he wasn't talking bad or slur, but was saying Sanders said it but I never have. That is crazy to me, sanders was a racist sob and even said it the old timey way like Niagara falls pronunciation and sounding like a Confederate officer

[@abifamuyiwa3936]

yesssss

[@KPITGangsta]

It’s crazy that a board of directors would hire on a third party to set up the company founder/owner to make him socially toxic in order to gain control of said company’s future. I am sure this has NeVeR hApPeNeD bEfOrE!

[@morningivy]

Sounds like the plot of a movie 😂

[@gigilovesgod8825]

That's right, it's strange but, we have to remember that " Power and Greed " walk together.

[@sarahbrower2453]

I'm starting my own business and I will never hire board of directors etc

[@kimberlyel82]

Wow I did not think of it that way but it makes so much sense

[@christhopherlasher2828]

If this happened the way he says it happened, in the order he says it happened ,then the NFL probably had to play a large role in the company's decision to destroy him... Money has always talked..

[@xlbillygoat2622]

“I said the word I didn’t use the word” wish people would understand this more

[@lydiapawlak8564]

Not since Floyd. White people have been under a microscope since that killing. CC and BLM see this as opportunity

[@TwilightZeaux]

I still got a coupon for a free Papa John's pizza that came with stuff I won on the radio station KLOS in Los Angeles in 2010. Is the coupon useless now?? Or will it become a valued collector's item worth millions of dollars in a few years??

[@chroylikesfish]

On a side note, I totally noticed Papa John's quality control drop since he's been fired Update: wow thanks for the likes... I didnt expect this comment to trigger some people tho :0

[@TheDanimatorsChannel]

I love Papa Johns, and I agree with him being setup but I will be honest the pizza tastes the same to me lol

[@Imakeyouthink12]

that's not side noteworthy...that's major news to all prospective customers....so thanks a lot.

[@9hk38f]

As a fast food/chain restaurant veteran, I can promise you, top ceo type people, actually have VERY little, to no effect on quality control of individual store locations. The 2 biggest factors of quality in these types of establishments, are the stress level of employees, and how polite you are, as a customer.

[@Imakeyouthink12]

@@9hk38f I disagree with you. Why is it that franchise training involves exacting adherence to SOPs, equipment, food quality and repetitive ordering of supplies, training. The franchisee is subjected to various impromptu inspections for an extended period, like 3 to 5 years to determine if you can prepare, store and sell products according to their marketing. You may be correct, if you are assuming that if all the above are maintained at top-notched level, then the employees wont be stressful or customers angry and or rude because they are being sold an inferior product.

[@9hk38f]

@@Imakeyouthink12 You can disagree, but you’re wrong. Go work at these places and you will understand.

[@matthewbryant2735]

Nobody has your best interests in mind EXCEPT YOU! Definitely not someone who you have to pay.

[@paulacrichlow2095]

Well said...

[@martycallmer6384]

he doesn't pay employees at different stores the owners do. they suffer but not because he's thinking of himself. they took a whole franchise and tried to destroy it because one man said something they didn't like. and you know who they are

[@mathewserrano2262]

@@martycallmer6384 That’s the thing about free market if you don’t like something you don’t have to pay for it and people sure did vote with the wallets on this one

[@yomamaatemydick2350]

@@mathewserrano2262 stop

[@mathewserrano2262]

@@yomamaatemydick2350 don’t think I will :)

[@EliasWolf77]

He's not greesy on here, that's character development he layed off the 40 Pizzas

[@user-pm5td9pc4s]

All these years, never knew this guy had an accent. People blew this out of proportion.

[@UniversalMysticsOfChrist]

I wasn't expecting to defend him. But this was blown way out of proportion. I feel duped by the media now.

[@jeremysandoval6822]

Nahh duped by the media?! Media is a joke lol

[@dr.valandherbookofknowledge]

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR MEANING IS. THIS AD AGENCY "DID" SET HIM UP, ACCORDING TO THAT CALL. I AM OF MIXED ETHNICITY...PEOPLE WOULD CLASS MY BLUE-EYED OLIVE SKIN SELF AS BLACK. SO AS BLACK, I WANT TO BE TREATED AND RESPECTED AS AN EQUAL IN SOCIETY. AT 74 YRS. OF AGE HE PASSED THE SNIFF TEST. THIS N-WORD THING VS NI__ER IS STUPID. BOTH ARE THE SAME AND BAD.

[@user-tw6bj4xx1l]

Ya. Ima still buy his pizza. Hes not racist. He was being extorted.

[@thetruthandnothingbutthetr6484]

@@user-tw6bj4xx1l they need you to buy it you’re one of the few people who give a damn about the racist franchise..1950 is gone

[@trevorphillips2868]

YouTwitFace along with the media and Hollywood are working hard to get rid of our rights.

[@yhshira_locs]

As an African American woman I am so angered by what they did to this man. They were just trying to find a way to take his company from him. This is why we should build companies where we do not actually need to go public giving people the right to just take your entire life’s work from you. Should he have said the word, probably not, however, I do feel this was a total set up. Going forward, when these things happen, we should have a community conversation with the individual to gain a better understanding before we rush to judgment before we just , “cancel.” Community means, non media, actual people from the community.

[@julianpeyton7729]

Underrated comment

[@nosignal88]

blatant business strategy

[@JakeW26]

Chichi gets it! Very well said I couldn't agree more!!! Our Country would be so much better if we did thing's this way.

[@lastmanstanding2622]

Thank You Chichi!

[@raywilliamson5596]

God Bless, Chichi!!! I met the man, and he has no racist bone in his body. He has done more for the minorities in KY than anyone would, with one exception and that would be the great man Muhammad Ali.

[@progz5232]

Why did it take so long for this to come out?

[@Berbs73]

My only argument is that the quality control for their product at games needs more attention. Fr

[@NBASoap]

This is equivalent to saying the n word when directly reading a book that uses it.

[@ariellel6123]

This is what I was thinking.

[@unlisted773]

Blacks have taken this crap entirely too far. The absurdity of trying to cancel someone's life for the mere utterance of a word in an anti-racist context is baffling. Please tell me the difference between this and Islamist reactions to the depiction of Muhammad.

[@randygarcia4404]

Mostly white people feeling offended for other races I'm half black and it doesn't even bother me

[@zuzuspetals9281]

Oh no, all those books have been burned by now.

[@awfullyawful]

The Gipper it’s not them (b lacks) that are doing it. They are being leveraged by another group much in the same way the w hites are being leveraged on the other end. We fight with each other but a 3rd party is responsible for all of this.

[@Bozar069]

The call isnt what cost him his career. They wanted him out and would have found another way if the call didnt happen.

[@jolliebearforchrist5468]

MATT YOU'RE RIGHT👏👏👏👏!

[@ZagrasNixillis]

Why do you think they would want him out? What motives?

[@xanderlutz7856]

@@ZagrasNixillis money.. the answer is always money.. money and Ego.

[@Bozar069]

@@ZagrasNixillis Rewatch the video bud. Papa John's was a sponsor of the NFL. The "official pizza of the NFL" in fact. He publicly spoke out saying that the NFL allowing players to kneel during the national anthem was hurting the business and he wanted them to do something about it. Honestly though even that is probably secondary. More then likely its someone wanted what he had and he just gave them an excuse to take it.

[@jennymay6744]

Absolute set up operation. Very sad

[@fivebooks8498]

Wow! He did absolutely nothing wrong. Amazing. This world has lost their minds.

[@alvaroperez7879]

Someone or a group made sure he looked bad so they could take over such a successful company. It’s like politics…. It’s a dirty game but someone has to win. Very sad this happened to the founder of a company.

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

I think he has a legit lawsuit against this "laundry service" company, if he hired them to help his image and instead they basically slandered him that is pretty messed up. they twisted his words and ruined him. that is crazy

[@SynapseNervosa]

The company hired them to help fix the image of the company. The problem was the founder. So as much as John likes to think HE is papa Johns, he is not. Laundry service did exactly what they were hired to do.

[@jeremyagosto-santana5280]

@@aintkool exactly!!!

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

@@SynapseNervosa they slandered him . He was not the problem and if you actually watched the video you would see what he said was not even offensive it was presented to the public out of context .

[@BrokenConnected]

@@AsTheWheelsTurn Last time I checked, there is no context in which it is NOT very offensive to utter the slur. I realize it is used in the Black community, but unless you're Black I don't think you have anything to say about that. Papa J is not Black.

[@randycallow3736]

He deserves nothing.. this is another example..If he was ultra aware..he should have stopped the consultants that he hired and said" saying n-gger in any context, under any circumstances is out of bounds, unacceptable".. waited for a response/apology and made decisions about future business w the service..

[@PaulGrantDesigns]

“Laundry service” cleaned him out.

[@lonemapper]

He got starched. 😂

[@jonm9538]

I sure hope they payed their liability insurance.

[@leospaceman2976]

They folded his ass

[@RiseAboveFilmsLLC]

He's pretty much right on all fronts. So are the rappers going to be in her next interview

[@danielleminerva4525]

Moral of the story is: Don’t ever hire a company called Laundry Service unless they are indeed just doing your laundry. 😳

[@rongooden6545]

Imagine spending your whole life building a billion dollar company just to be kicked out of the company years later by its employees 😂

[@spartan_a1176]

How is that possible when he owns the company?

[@garrettwooding815]

Well when you have shareholders if they have more of a percentage of the company technically they own the company not you

[@snotbubbles3276]

@@spartan_a1176 He doesnt own the company, the shareholders of Papa John's Int'l, Inc.PZZA own the company. Most likely he owns a great share of those stocks but not majority. In addition the shareholders elect Peoples to the Board of Directors to act on their behalf. A majority decision was made by the group he was a member of to remove him from his position as the best interest in the company Papa John's Int'l, Inc..Same thing happened to Steve Jobs by then ex PepsiCo CEO John Skulley.

[@spartan_a1176]

@@snotbubbles3276 idk much about these businesses but if you a chairman CEO founder that should be Your company not the shareholders

[@spartan_a1176]

@@garrettwooding815 ohhhhh that make sense i think that is a pretty bad idea for doing business in my opinion

[@erosemond]

Damn I knew they set him up. When I worked for papa johns when I was 19 and 20.. I’ve met this man and his wife twice and never felt disrespected or judge by him. Hell he told me I made great pizza.

[@lawlade]

So I assume you agree with him creating a pizza to fund for zimmerman's acquittal. Wow! Black people😒

[@aiden6882]

@@lawlade what

[@lawlade]

@@aiden6882 yup! Named it the "ZIMMERMAN SPECIAL" and donated $1.11 for every purchase detailing what the funds was created to do. I was shocked and stunned. This was in 2013.

[@lawlade]

Did he pat you on the head as well. Black people please wake up. 😒

[@keepitreal5317]

@@lawlade dude stfu, you really are just gonna keep saying "black people". People like you are just annoying get over yourself, you watched a couple videos on KZbin because you were bored.

[@bartmanfantanfart36]

Show us the tape

[@Paladin_Zero]

its sad that his company was taken away from him crazy how you can build up one of the most successful brands in pizza and some envious a$$hole wants it does whatever he can to take it from you dude is still worth $1 billion though so he's set for life

[@eman151511]

Coming out of high school I thought I would enter "the real world", where things are tough. People twice my age are more sensitive than the kids back at school.

[@SigilCraft]

thats why things are tough, you can get removed from the company you own for citing a bad word that someone else used

[@KPITGangsta]

@@SigilCraft it’s tough being an adult and suffering under your own dumb choices, things were easier as a child.

[@mse2130]

@@KPITGangsta dumb choices that were labeled as dumb by even dumber adults.

[@SigilCraft]

@@KPITGangsta How was what he did a dumb choice? We literally let high schoolers read the word aloud to the class, it's uncomfortable because it's supposed to be. He's saying the word to emphasize how bad it is, I don't see what's wrong with that in the context of a private meeting.

[@OMalleyTheMaggot]

High school is a traumatic prison. I'm still waiting for things to get harder but nah we throw kids in a brick cage and decide the most important aspects of their lives right then and there. The only things in my adult life that are difficult wouldn't be difficult if I were properly taught how to handle them in school instead of historical lies from moronic textbooks and fucking a l g e b r a.

[@alexallen126]

As a black man who got to see this, I believe he was done very very wrongly. He wasn’t calling anyone the N-word. He wasn’t intending to be racist, IT SEEMS.

[@ThePrinceofPlots]

I hate these types of comments now. “As a black man” lol all black people don’t experience the same and there are many many black people who grow up around white people. One experience doesn’t reflect them all. It’s a different type of effect. This guy claim he was set up when they set him up because he was obviously being super racist in the background

[@justindoyle5972]

I agree someone was trying to body him

[@AskMiko]

@@ThePrinceofPlots his comment is his experience. He has a right to acknowledge his race in his statement and nowhere in the post did he say “all.” Nothing about the comment is inclusive of a whole race or gender. Nothing about it infers how people are raised or who they hang around. That is your interpretation of what he said.

[@chrisjames4438]

@@ThePrinceofPlots as a black man, I think ur a total idiot.

[@sailasimone6175]

@Chris I think you had a sneaky uncle in your life and you weren't paid too much attention to. Justin had one too. I think all three of you are total idiots so don't exclude yourself.

[@iquit552]

The weird thing is that this video is uploaded on april 1st

[@nancypantz]

Wtf? He didn't use the word as a racist. He was criticizing racists. Not the smartest move to use it, but it wasn't racist. Omg.