Papa John's Promotes Steve Ritchie To CEO, Effective Jan. 1

(RTTNews) - Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA), the world's third-largest pizza delivery company, announced Thursday the promotion of Steve Ritchie to Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2018.

Ritchie was added to the succession plan for the company's top job in 2015 when he was named President.

As Chief Executive Officer, Ritchie will lead Papa John's global development and facilitate the brand's marketing, digital and customer experience evolution.

The company noted that recent hires of Mike Nettles as Chief Information and Digital Officer, Brandon Rhoten as Chief Marketing Officer and the addition of a digital-first creative agency of record, Laundry Service, underpin the brand's emphasis on digital marketing and technology. But the company's primary focus will be on its team members.

Ritchie, 43, started with Papa John's in 1996 as a customer service representative at $6 per hour. In 2006, he became a Papa John's franchise owner and operator. In 2010, he began serving in increasing capacities of leadership in operations until being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2014.

In his duties as Chairman and founder, John Schnatter will continue to champion the core principles.

Schnatter said, "I am so proud of Steve - he has excelled at every job he's ever held at Papa John's - from being an hourly customer service rep, to a delivery driver, store general manager, director of operations, franchisee and most recently President. With 120,000 Papa John's corporate and franchise employees, Steve will put the spotlight on our pizza and the most important ingredient - our team members. We couldn't have a more proven leader to guide Papa John's through its next stage of growth."

Ritchie added, "At Papa John's, any opportunity is achievable if you dedicate yourself to putting your best foot forward every day. I'm certain our future company leaders are delivering pizzas in one of our 5,000 stores around the world right now."

Papa John's noted that 98% of restaurant managers are promoted from hourly positions within the company.