Tuesday, January 22, 2008

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT AND PAPA JOHN’S JOIN FORCES TO DELIVER “BUSINESS OF LIFE” LESSONS TO NATION’S STUDENTS

Multi-faceted collaboration will generate revenue, volunteers, board members for local JA Offices

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) and Junior Achievement (JA) have formed a national partnership that helps local JA Offices deliver work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy lessons to U.S. students. Papa John’s will donate two dollars to JA for each customer who places their pizza order at www.papajohns.com and uses the online coupon displaying the Junior Achievement logo.

In addition, Papa John’s franchises and corporate-owned restaurants will conduct “job shadow” events at which JA students can experience first-hand what it is like to own and run a Papa John’s restaurant, and Papa John’s employees will be encouraged to volunteer to teach JA classes at schools in their communities. JA Offices can also expand the partnership to include recruiting Papa John’s franchisees and local market team leadership to serve on their boards of directors.

“This partnership with Junior Achievement provides a great opportunity for Papa John’s restaurant management and staff to interact with students and show them what a rewarding experience owning and operating their own business can be,” said Bill Van Epps, president of Papa John’s USA, and director of Junior Achievement USA. “We are thrilled to work with an organization like Junior Achievement that fosters the entrepreneurial spirit in our youth—Papa John’s was started by an entrepreneur and Papa John’s franchisees are entrepreneurs, so the partnership between our organizations is a natural one.”

Gerald M. Czarnecki, president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement, added, “We are very excited about this partnership with Papa John’s, and are grateful for the support and engagement of such a successful, fast-growing organization that wants to help young people succeed. Everyone eats pizza, and this online coupon gives the public an easy way to support Junior Achievement programs in their area by purchasing something they regularly enjoy.”

No comments: