Papa John’s International Inc. has added a Hall of Fame center.
Shaquille O’Neal is joining the board of the struggling pizza chain and investing in nine restaurants in the Atlanta area, according to a statement on Friday. The former NBA star has also entered into a marketing agreement with the company and has agreed to pitch the brand.
Papa John’s shares jumped in early trading after the news was released.
The pizza chain, which recently got an investment from activist fund Starboard Value, is trying to mount a comeback after a sales slump and scandal that tarnished its brand.
Founder John Schnatter, whose image had once been deeply ingrained in the pizza chain’s marketing, agreed earlier this month to resign from the board and dismiss a lawsuit related to his departure last year as chairman. The company, already facing slowing sales, saw its woes grow last summer after the controversial executive used a racial slur on a conference call. Schnatter is the company’s biggest shareholder.
Papa John’s shares jumped as much as much as 6.4 percent in early trading Friday. They had already climbed 18 percent this year through Thursday’s close.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.