Papa John's founder: I made `mistake' resigning after slur

NEW YORK — The founder of Papa John’s says the pizza chain does well with him as its public face, and that it was a mistake for the company to scrub him from its marketing materials after he acknowledged using a racial slur last month.

John Schnatter said in an interview with The Associated Press that he believes he can return to TV and radio ads once the public understands the context of his comments.

“My persona resonates with the consumer because it’s authentic, it’s genuine and it’s the truth,” Schnatter said in a phone interview late Wednesday, with his lawyer and representative present.

A representative for Papa John’s International Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has said it appointed a special committee to oversee an external audit of its diversity practices.

Schnatter has been under fire after Forbes reported last month that he used the N-word during a media training conference call in May. He apologized for using the word, but said it was taken out of context and that he didn’t use it as an epithet. He resigned as chairman quickly after the report was published, but subsequently called the decision a “mistake.”

Since then, Schnatter has criticized Papa John’s handling of the matter, saying it acted hastily without investigating what happened. He also criticized the company’s failure to clarify his comments last year, blaming disappointing pizza sales on the NFL leadership’s handling of player protests during the national anthem. Those comments were seen as insensitive to players, and prompted Schnatter stepping down as CEO last year.

Schnatter said the remarks were aimed at the league’s leadership, not its players. Papa John’s, which is based in Louisville, Ky., began operations in 1984 and has more than 5,200 locations globally.