Papa John's yesterday apologized for Founder & CEO John Schnatter's statement last month that "blamed the NFL and anthem protests for a decline in sales," according to Bobby Shipman of the Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL. The company in a series of tweets apologized to anyone who "may have found the comments on its declining sales divisive." The company stated, "The statements made on our earnings call were describing the factors that impact our business and we sincerely apologize to anyone that thought they were divisive. That definitely was not our intention. We believe in the right to protest inequality and support the players' movement to create a new platform for change. We also believe together, as Americans, we should honor our anthem. There is a way to do both. We will work with the players and league to find a positive way forward" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 11/15). Papa John's Senior Dir of PR Peter Collins said the reasoning behind the tweets was it "became obvious over the last week people didn't understand our position." Collins: "We should have followed our gut from the beginning, but followed advice not to speak up -- it's time we are clear." Company execs "declined to disclose exactly how much money in projected sales Papa John's lost from its association with the NFL and declining ratings, which mean fewer people are ordering their product for game days." Papa John's President & COO Steve Ritchie has said that research has "found that Papa John's has been the most recognized sponsor associated with the NFL for two years running, which he said means the company's performance can track with that of the league" (ESPN.com, 11/14).
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called Papa John's apology unnecessary, saying, "If that's how you feel and your bottom line is being affected, what the hell are you moonwalking back from it for?" The company "pointed to numbers to justify" their position and acknowledged "how you're struggling." Smith: "It was an earnings report, there was a conference call about that. You weren't being interviewed and coming out and pontificating about something and expressing your point of view emotionally.” ESPN's Will Cain: "This is the tail wagging the dog. This is the public outcry determining and rewriting what was originally said. ... Why apologize? Because there's been an outcry? Because people twisted the words?" (“First Take,” ESPN, 11/15).
