Papa John’s founder John Schnatter resigned as chairman of the company Wednesday amid growing backlash over his use of the n-word during a conference call in May.
In a statement late Wednesday night, the company said it had accepted his resignation and that Olivia Kirtley will be the company’s Lead Independent Director. The company said it will also appoint a new chairman in the coming weeks.
The resignation comes after Schnatter admitted that he used “inappropriate and hurtful language” while on a conference call in May.
