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

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily
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.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Gen Zer's Stylish Side Hustle Earns About $20,000 a Month and Paid Off His Parents' $200,000 Debt: 'I Enjoy the Hands-Off Nature'

Ray Cao went from working as a barista for $8 an hour to being a successful seller on online marketplace StockX.

Data & Recovery

You Could Pay Millions in Fines for Not Adhering to New Compliance Regulations That Take Effect This Year. Here Are 6 Strategies to Keep Yourself in Check.

New or evolving rules and regulations are a fact of corporate life. How employees embrace these new rules — and associated education and training processes — can make a big difference to organizational performance as well as the financial bottom line.

Business News

MacKenzie Scott Donates $640 Million to Non-Profits After Elon Musk's 'Ex-Wife' Comment on X

The winning applicants span 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.