Papa John’s International, Inc. founder John Schnatter has filed a lawsuit against the company over documents concerning his removal and has blamed the board for behaving carelessly or organizing a potential “coup,” a new report says.
Schnatter stepped down as chairman of the company’s board this month, a move that came after he apologized for using the N-word during a conference call in May.
“Instead of standing behind the founder and working with news media to explain what actually occurred, the Company followed its usual, and flawed, manner of dealing with false and mistaken reporting as to comments made by Mr. Schnatter,” the lawsuit says, according to CNBC.
Peter Collins, a spokesperson for Papa John’s, said that the company will comply and share the documents he “is entitled to as a director.”
“We are saddened and disappointed that John Schnatter has filed a needless and wasteful lawsuit in an attempt to distract from his own words and actions,” Collins said, according to CNBC. “We will not let his numerous misstatements in the complaint and elsewhere distract us from the important work we are doing to move the business forward for our 120,000 corporate and franchise team members, and our franchisees, customers and stakeholders.”
Schnatter remains a member of Papa John’s board, although it was revealed last year that Schnatter was going to resign as CEO of the company. He revealed his resignation plans shortly after he condemned NFL leaders and players for protesting during the national anthem.
