Get All Access for $5/mo

Papa John's Launches Program to Help Employees Pay for College The embattled pizza chain is partnering with Purdue University.

By Nina Zipkin

Bloomberg | Getty Images

Papa John's announced last week that it will partner with Purdue University to offer both corporate and restaurant employees full tuition to the school's online courses. The initiative nets out to $5,250 per person per year, and the embattled company said it aims to work with other universities going forward.

Roughly 20,000 workers will be able to take advantage of the program, with the company covering tuition and other attendant fees, including books and classroom materials, for Papa John's employees that work at least 20 hours a week.

Franchise locations also are eligible for the initiative, with slightly different requirements. Franchise employees will receive 20 percent off tuition for associate's and bachelor's degrees, and 14 percent off for master's degrees.

In an interview about the new program with Bloomberg, Chief People Officer Marvin Boakye said, "This is a great message to candidates that, not only can they have a place to be employed at, but a place to continue to develop," with the intent to "drive our employer brand and quite frankly build retention."

With the initiative, Papa John's joins a growing list of corporations that help their employees cover college tuition, including UPS, Starbucks, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Home Depot, Chipotle, Best Buy and Walmart.

The move comes after a prolonged period of upheaval for the company's leadership. In the fall of 2017, founder John Schnatter stepped down from this role as CEO after he said on a conference call that the NFL's ongoing player protests were adversely affecting Papa John's sales. In July of 2018, the then-chairman was recorded on another conference call -- this call set up with a marketing firm with the goal of preventing additional PR issues -- using the N-word. Shortly after, he resigned his position as chairman.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.

Growing a Business

This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

Maypop is a combination coffee and garden shop where a blend of community building and customer service creates an unforgettable experience.