Papa Johns Blames Cheesy Sales On NFL

[PACOX]

Papa John's blames NFL leadership for lackluster pizza sales as shares sink more than 11%

• Papa John's said the league and its leadership "hurt" the company by not resolving the player protests that have been taking place during the National Anthem.
• The company said the combination of declining NFL viewership and negative consumer sentiment associated with the league caused sales in the third quarter to slump.
• Papa John's has been the official pizza sponsor of the NFL since 2010.

Papa John himself slammed NFL leadership on Wednesday, blaming the organization for lackluster sales at his pizza restaurants in the third quarter.

John Schnatter, the founder and CEO of Papa John's, said the league and its leadership "hurt" the company by not resolving the player protests that have been taking place during the National Anthem.

"The NFL has been a long and valued partner over the years, but we are certainly disappointed that NFL and its leadership did not resolve the ongoing situation to the satisfaction of all parties," Schnatter said during an earnings call Wednesday. "This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago."

Papa John's, which has been the official pizza of the NFL since 2010, said the combination of declining NFL viewership and negative consumer sentiment associated with the league caused sales in the third quarter to slump.

Shares of the pizza chain fell more than 11 percent on Wednesday.

"The NFL has hurt us and, more importantly, by not resolving the current debacle to the [players' and owners'] satisfaction, NFL leadership has hurt Papa John's," Schnatter said.

"Leadership starts at the top, and this is an example of poor leadership," he said.

In North America, same-store sales grew 1 percent, falling short of analyst expectations of a 1.4 percent rise, according to Street Account. And the company expects this trend to continue into the next quarter.

"The NFL situation has persisted in the pressure that it's applying to our sales that has bled into the start of the fourth quarter," Steve Ritchie, chief operating officer, said during the conference call.

Ritchie also blamed the competitive restaurant environment and temporary store closures caused by hurricanes for weak sales.

"Like Subway in recent years, Papa John's has invested in athletes to market their products," Darren Tristano, a food-service trend expert, told CNBC via email. "When athletes are at the top of their game, these investments can pay off with sales growth but when you invest in retiring players like Peyton Manning and injured players like J.J. Watt to endorse your brand, the impact can be lessened. With team parity in the NFL, ratings have fallen and marketing has become less effective for brands associating with the league."

However, "The results wouldn't suggest cutting ties with the NFL," Tristano said.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/01/papa...zza-sales.html

Looks like Papa Johns is a little low on dough, claiming that NFL protests took a slice out of their profits.

[Crissi]

crap pizza is crap

not to mention "Papa John" is a huge douche canoe regardless.

[SoyBoy]

Papa John's has been taking a dive because it sucks.
More and more Americans are moving more towards local eateries which provide better ingredients and better pizza.

[Martymark]

I like their pizza, but haven't bought it in a while because I moved away from their restaurants.

[draynay]

Its a terrible business with a terrible product and terrible owner, I'd eat one of those lunchable pizzas before papa johns.

[LiiLoSNK]

Stop hating. Papa Johns pizza can't be topped.

Cheaply or properly.

[Sixnalia]

Papa John's has been taking a dive because it sucks.
More and more Americans are moving more towards local eateries which provide better ingredients and better pizza.

We used to order out Papa Johns where I am, because it was the only pizza place nearby. The only other was a local one, that has been involved in credit card details being "leaked" and some fraud taking place.

Where I am, most local places cost twice as much for pizza, if not more. The only one I'm a fan of is a family-run Italian place near where I work.

We had a Domino's open here though and it has been incredible customer service both in the shop and from delivery crew. The pizzas remain a great quality, and during off season(sports deals) it is cheaper than Papa Johns.


I wouldn't blame the NFL on bad sales.
I'm not into sports at all, but utilized Papa Johns sports deals and discounts all the time when I attended University.

It was a good way to get super cheap pizza for myself and roommates. Though the quality between it during Uni and now, feels a bit drastic. But that could all come down to the store itself, as it is not the same store since moving elsewhere.

[Sormine]

Looks like Papa Johns is a little low on dough, claiming that NFL protests took a slice out of their profits.

Sad attempt by the ultra-conservative company, Papa John's, to leverage the NFL to get their Republican way.

Also as pointed out already in this thread, they make shitty pizza and treat their employees worse than dogs.

[SoyBoy]

Sad attempt by the ultra-conservative company, Papa John's, to leverage the NFL to get their Republican way.

Also as pointed out already in this thread, they make shitty pizza and treat their employees worse than dogs.

How are the ultra conservative?
He is wrong about his situation but there are other adviertisers getting because of their support of the knee bender nonsense.

[Crissi]

The price is a big thing too. A $2.75 delivery fee (that doesn't go to the driver) the larges are 13 bucks without a coupon. Lower the price a tad and watch sales go up.

but to lower the price, that would require the CEO not be a douche canoe

I'd rather have pizza hutt if I'm going for a quick chain pizza. Otherwise I'll drive myself to a local small chain.

[Ripster42]

The only thing I really like at papa johns is the way they do their breadsticks, which isn't enough for me to actually order their pizza.

If I wanted cheap pizza I'd just get little ceasars.

[Khaza-R]

I always thought Papa Johns was the most flavorless of all the national brands.

Other than that, local pizzerias are also really easy to find nowadays. Personally, there are 5 within a mile of my house and they are all better than delivery

[Ripster42]

How are the ultra conservative?
He is wrong about his situation but there are other adviertisers getting because of their support of the knee bender nonsense.

The CEO is an ultra conservative. Gives to conservative causes, supports trump, blames anyone but himself for his business' shares shrinking 11%. Typical.

[ohiostate124]

Watching people come out of the woodwork to bash papa Johns in pretty hilarious.

Papa johns > dominos > little ceasars > Pizza Hut

[SoyBoy]

The CEO is an ultra conservative. Gives to conservative causes, supports trump, blames anyone but himself for his business' shares shrinking 11%. Typical.

Sounds like he's pretty level headed to me. Maybe I'll start supporting his business.

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Watching people come out of the woodwork to bash papa Johns in pretty hilarious.

Papa johns > dominos > little ceasars > Pizza Hut

All are chains. Only pleebs eat there.

[Crissi]

Watching people come out of the woodwork to bash papa Johns in pretty hilarious.

Papa johns > dominos > little ceasars > Pizza Hut

local places > all of those

[Sormine]

How are the ultra conservative?
He is wrong about his situation but there are other adviertisers getting because of their support of the knee bender nonsense.

The founder of Papa John's is beyond the epitome of your typical Republican "business" owner.

[Crissi]

and I don't mind conservative business people. Its when they blame their failings on the other side that it gets ridiculous, which is papa john tends to do.

[Zelk]

Probably different in the US but have to say Papa John's near me is 100% the worst pizza I've ever eaten

[IIamaKing]

local places > all of those

Ehh, for the ~20 bucks those pizzas cost i could make 3 at home, just as fast, just as good.