John H. Schnatter, nicknamed commercially as Papa John, is an American entrepreneur serving as founder and chairman of Papa John's. Schnatter stepped down as CEO on January 1, 2018, and was succeeded by President and COO Steve Ritchie.

The Papa John's pizza business was founded in 1984 when "Papa" John Schnatter converted a broom closet in the back of his father's tavern. Schnatter sold his 1971 Z28 Camaro to purchase $1,600 worth of used pizza equipment and began selling pizzas to the tavern's customers. His pizzas proved so popular that the following year he was able to move into an adjoining space. Today, the company is the third largest take-out and pizza delivery restaurant chain in the world, with headquarters in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, near Louisville. On December 21, 2017, Schnatter announced he would step down as CEO of Papa John's amidst controversy over comments he made regarding the NFL not doing anything about players kneeling or sitting during the National Anthem.