SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The University of Utah says it has closed the Papa John’s in the campus food court as it joins a long list of institutions cutting ties with the pizza company after the founder used a racial slur.
The university said Wednesday in a statement that the racial slur used by Papa John’s founder John Schnatter’s is in “direct opposition to our values.” The university says the Papa John’s was closed on July 20 and will be replaced by a new restaurant.
Schnatter apologized for his comments made during a company conference call in May and stepped down as chairman but remains on the company’s board. He told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he should be back as the chain’s public face.
The Utah Jazz ended its sponsorship agreement with Papa John’s on July 20.
