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After a brief respite from the news cycle, <a href="https://www.papajohns.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=report-schnatter-contacting-private-equity-firms-in-attempt-to-buy-back-papa-johns-2707979" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Papa John&rsquo;s</a> founder John Schnatter is back. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/26/john-schnatter-is-talking-with-private-equity-firms-to-buy-papa-johns.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=report-schnatter-contacting-private-equity-firms-in-attempt-to-buy-back-papa-johns-2707979" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">According to a report by CNBC</a>, Schnatter is actively reaching out to private equity firms to orchestrate a buyout of Papa John&rsquo;s. Schnatter&rsquo;s representatives denied the report.

According to the report, several of the firms Schnatter has contacted have rejected his proposal, citing concerns over the reputation risk of partnering with him. <a href="https://1851franchise.com/new-york-times-papa-john-s-founder-john-schnatter-quits-as-chairman-after-using-racial-slur-2707127" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Schnatter resigned as chairman earlier this year after</a> it was learned he used a racial slur on a conference call, kicking off <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-latest-developments-in-the-papa-john-s-power-struggle-2707734" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">an increasingly contentious falling out</a> over the last few months. Schnatter still remains Papa John&rsquo;s largest shareholder with a roughly 30 percent ownership stake in the brand. 

Sources did tell CNBC, however, that Papa John&rsquo;s is actively talking with potential buyers, but cautioning that the process is still in the early stages and may not ultimately result in a sale.

Read the full CNBC report <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/26/john-schnatter-is-talking-with-private-equity-firms-to-buy-papa-johns.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=report-schnatter-contacting-private-equity-firms-in-attempt-to-buy-back-papa-johns-2707979" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>.

Papa John's, John Schnatter, buyout, franchising

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