Everyone loves a good Papa John's pizza. But did you know that the man behind that dough has an estimated net worth of over $600 million because of his bachelor's degree in business?
He may not be Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs but he is a notable entrepreneur nonetheless. Rasmussen has it that he is one of many successful entrepreneurs that made it big with the help of a college degree.
Papa John, also known as John Schnatter, was born in 1961. He is currently the CEO and spokesman for Papa John's International, Inc. which was founded in 1984. He was born in Jeffersonville Indiana and graduated from its high school in 1980. He then went to Ball State University in 1983 where he took a business degree.
How did Papa John's come about? It was when he knocked out a broom closet in the back of his dad's tavern. He sold his car, his 1971 Z28 Camaro, to buy over $1,600 worth of second hand pizza equipment. He began selling pizza out of that tavern closet.
A year later, his business tactics grew and so did his business. He moved out of that closet and moved to an adjoining space. In 2009, after being successful in his venture, he bought back his Camaro.
His business skills came full circle for him after buying that Camaro back. Now, Papa John's is considered to be the third largest take out and pizza delivery restaurant in the world.
Throughout his tenure in business, he was inducted to the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 2000 by the National Jaycees Organization.
But he does not focus on business alone. He also does charity work. He made a million dollar contribution to the Louisville Zoo's Glacier Run expansion. His Calistoga site sponsors a bike team and donates funds to build bike trails. He also serves as an honorary chair of the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefit.
Learn more about Schnatter's business and management style through the video below:
