Papa John's International, Inc. announced Rob Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, will be departing Papa Johns to assume another CEO position. The Board has appointed Ravi Thanawala, Papa Johns current Chief Financial Officer, as Interim CEO effective March 21, 2024. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Lynch will provide continued support in an advisory role until April 30, 2024.

The Board is conducting a comprehensive search process to identify a successor for the CEO role. Since joining Papa Johns nearly five years ago, Mr. Lynch has guided the Company through a business and culture transformation. Mr. Thanawala joined Papa Johns in 2023 as Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to joining Papa Johns, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Nike North America, Nike Inc.?s larger division, generating approximately $20 billion in revenue on an annual basis. During his seven years at Nike, Inc., Mr. Thanawala also served as the Global VP and CFO of the Converse brand, executing Nike?s global omnichannel direct-to-consumer strategy and successfully turning around the $3.5 billion Converse brand. In addition, he was the Global VP of Retail Excellence, overseeing the brand?s performance across its business channels of franchises, licenses, direct to consumer and wholesale.

Prior to Nike Inc., Mr. Thanawala spent eight years at ANN INC. in finance and operations roles. Mr. Thanawala, 40, has served as the Company?s Chief Financial Officer since July 2023. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Thanawala served in various roles at Nike, Inc. after joining in October 2016, including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nike North America from June 2020 to July 2023 and Global Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Converse brand from June 2018 to June 2020 as well as the Global Vice President, Retail Excellence from 2016 to 2018.

Prior to Nike, Inc., he spent eight years at ANN, Inc., a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., in finance leadership and operational roles, including his last role as the Senior Vice President and CFO of ANN, Inc. Mr. Thanawala graduated from Stern School of Business at New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Policy Economics.