Papa JohnÂs International Inc. has filed a new logo with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, dropping the apostrophe from its name. The Louisville-based pizza chain has employed this measure in order to further separate itself from its founder, John Schnatter who still has the largest shareholding in the publicly traded company.
However, a spokesman of the company has recently confirmed that there are no immediate plans to start using the new logo. Furthermore, AdAge quoted trademark attorney Josh Gerben as saying ÂOnce a trademark application is filed, he says, Âthe trademark office will examine it in four months time. Source: Wohl, J. ÂPapa JohnÂs is Cooking Up A New Apostrophe-less LogoÂ. Adage.com. September 18, 2018.
Schnatter resigned as chairman of the board earlier this year in July, following a report about his use of a racial slur during a conference call which took place in May. He was already in the spotlight in November last year and stepped down as CEO after he criticized the NFLÂs Âpoor leadership pertaining to the national anthem demonstrations.
Papa JohnÂs latest commercial which comprises the company franchisees and employees, does not include Schnatter. Furthermore, Â the company has also decided to remove SchnatterÂs image from its pizza boxes. Nevertheless, the former chairman and CEO is not going down quietly and is filing two lawsuits against the company and its directors. Â