Shaq’s Investment Portfolio
Shaquille O’Neal, three-time NBA Finals MVP and Hall of Famer, isn’t just known for his basketball career — he’s also a savvy businessman. Besides endorsing products left and right, Shaq has a portfolio of multi-million dollar investments and a variety of franchises in his name. One of the most prominent franchises he owns is Papa John’s.
After retiring from basketball, Shaq became a TV analyst and immersed himself in business ventures. One of the franchises he came across happened to be Papa John’s. In 2019, he invested in nine Papa John’s locations in the Atlanta area. According to Forbes, the deal was worth $840,000.
Forbes also reported that Shaq had a deal with Papa John’s that if he reached a certain percentage increase in sales, he would earn a board seat worth around $8.25 million. Less than a year after he invested, Shaq surpassed the goal and landed a spot on the board of directors.
But that’s not all. In 2020, Shaq became the face of Papa John’s marketing campaign, and he also invested in nine more locations in the Atlanta area. As of 2021, Shaq owns a total of 17 Papa John’s franchises in Atlanta, making him the largest franchisee there.
When discussing his investment in Papa John’s, Shaq said, “I’m just a guy that looked in the mirror and said [to myself], ‘I want to try to be a part of something that’s going to be around in 50 years.'”
Aside from Papa John’s, Shaq also has equity stakes in several other companies, including Muscle Milk, Carnival Cruise Line, and a loyalty app called ShopRunner. He’s also invested millions in Google, Apple, Amazon, and Starbucks stock, among others.
It’s clear that Shaq’s entrepreneurship extends far beyond the basketball court. From Papa John’s to ShopRunner, he’s built up an impressive investment portfolio that reflects his diversity and drive.
Papa John’s Partnership with Shaq
In March 2019, Papa John’s announced that a new addition to their board of directors is none other than retired NBA player, Shaquille O’Neal. This partnership not only brought two huge brands together, but it also marked the beginning of Papa John’s journey towards a more diverse and inclusive organization. Also, the partnership was seen as a significant move for Papa John’s to recover from the PR nightmare it went through in 2018.
With Shaq on board, Papa John’s gained a new director who can provide valuable insights into marketing, branding, and overall strategies of the fast-food industry. It was only a few months after Shaq joined Papa John’s board of directors when he made an even bigger announcement – he purchased a significant stake in nine Papa John’s franchises in the Atlanta area.
How many Papa John’s does Shaq own?
As mentioned earlier, Shaq currently owns nine Papa John’s franchises in Atlanta. This means that he holds around 30% ownership stake in the Papa John’s outlets in the city. Shaq’s involvement with Papa John’s has helped the franchise reestablish trust with its customers, as well as rebrand itself following the controversy surrounding its former CEO and founder.
Shaq’s ownership of Papa John’s franchises does not only mean that he receives a portion of the profits generated by these outlets. It also means that he is heavily invested in the success of these stores. As a result, Shaq has been actively involved in the operations of these stores, getting his hands dirty with day-to-day operations and even interacting with customers.
Shaq’s interest in owning Papa John’s franchises does not end in Atlanta. He has made it known that he plans to own more Papa John’s franchises in other areas in the United States. His goal is to become the largest African American majority-franchise owner in the food industry, and owning Papa John’s outlets puts him well on his way towards this goal.
Shaq’s investment in Papa John’s not only shows his confidence in the franchise, but it also shows his commitment to creating opportunities for people of color in the food industry. The NBA legend has been vocal about his vision of creating jobs and generating wealth for African Americans and other minorities in the United States. By purchasing Papa John’s franchises, Shaq is putting his words into action and carving a path for others to follow.
In conclusion, Shaq’s partnership with Papa John’s has been mutually beneficial for both parties. It has helped Papa John’s rebrand itself and regain the trust of its customers, and it has provided Shaq with a platform to invest in his vision of creating opportunities for minorities in the food industry. With his investment in Papa John’s, Shaq is proving to be an astute businessman, an advocate for diversity and inclusivity, and a reliable partner to one of America’s most recognizable franchises.
Number of Papa John’s Franchises under Shaq
Shaquille O’Neal, the retired NBA superstar, is a well-known entrepreneur. He is one of the best players ever to grace the hardwood and a savvy businessman. Shaq became a member of Papa John’s International’s Board of Directors in March 2019 after investing in nine Atlanta Papa John’s locations, and he has since become an influential figure within the company.
As a result of his investment, Shaquille O’Neal now owns three Papa John’s franchises. With over 5,000 stores in more than 45 countries, Papa John’s is the third-largest pizza chain in the world. Shaquille O’Neal’s interest in Papa John’s started in March 2019 when he agreed to become the company’s ambassador, joining the board of directors. He also invested in and becoming a franchisee for nine Papa John’s locations in the Atlanta area.
In August 2019, Shaquille O’Neal made headlines again when he purchased a new Papa John’s franchise in Atlanta. O’Neal and his business partner, restaurateur Junior Bridgeman, purchased the pizza franchise with plans to develop it across Georgia over the next few years.
In March 2021, Shaquille O’Neal confirmed that he had acquired another Papa John’s franchise, this time in a different part of Georgia. With three Papa John’s franchises under his belt, Shaquille O’Neal is making a mark in the pizza industry in Georgia, and customers can now get a taste of Shaq’s pizza.
Shaquille O’Neal has always had a passion for pizza and has been associated with several pizza restaurants in the past. O’Neal is currently more than just a regular franchise owner; he is an ambassador for the company. He has used his extensive network and charisma to help the company clear its image. He has been involved in crafting new products, marketing campaigns, franchise expansion, and philanthropic activities.
The acquisition of three Papa John’s franchises is just one of the many investments that Shaquille O’Neal has made over the years. He has diversified, investing in real estate, tech startups, and fitness brands. Shaq is also a brand ambassador for several companies and has worked as an analyst on TNT’s NBA coverage.
In conclusion, Shaquille O’Neal’s investment in Papa John’s contributes to his exceptional business acumen. His diverse investments indicate that he has a particular interest in playing his role in various sectors. His investment in Papa John’s is in line with his passion for pizza, but more importantly, it shows his determination to make a difference in the foodservice industry.
How Many Papa John’s Does Shaq Own?
)
Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend and TV personality, is a notable franchisee for multiple fast-food brands. He expressed his love for the Papa John’s pizza in a tweet in 2019. Shaq is now the franchise owner of nine Papa John’s stores in the entire metro Atlanta area. He also owns the rights to develop over 110 additional locations in the southeast region, including Atlanta, Memphis, Orlando, and Miami.
Shaq has been a brand ambassador for Papa John’s since 2019. He also joined the company’s board of directors in March 2019. He received a $8.25 million equity stake, which was worth a combined $4.4 million at the time of purchase and the rest was paid to him for his endorsement, according to company filings. Later, he agreed to convert the balance of his endorsement fee into new shares under an agreement with the Papa John’s disclosing this information in a regulatory filing with the SEC. Papa John’s stock’s value has increased by over 40% since he joined.
The Impact of Shaq’s Ownership on Papa John’s
Shaquille O’Neal’s ownership has helped Papa John’s turn the business around and regain its lost reputation after the scandal that involved the racism controversy and the company’s former CEO John Schnatter. Shaq has been working with Papa John’s director of multicultural marketing to build a new marketing campaign aimed toward African-Americans. His direction has been instrumental in steering the firm toward cultural sensitivity and empathy.
As of 2021, Papa John’s reported a 4.8% increase in North America sales, the highest over the past 17 years. It has been attributed to the brand’s rebranding and the collaborative efforts put in place by the management and Shaq’s strategic partnerships.
The collaboration between Papa John’s and Shaq has not only helped the company with business but also with social responsibility. Shaq has taken initiative in several community empowerment programs. They have donated $50,000 to Simmons College of Kentucky to promote diversity in higher education and a portion of the profit earned in the stores owned by Shaq to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Shaquille O’Neal is a pioneer for racial and ethnic justice and an advocate for community upliftment. He has utilized his partnership with Papa John’s to make a difference and to create an inclusive brand that represents diversity. According to Shaq, “everyone likes pizza, and everyone should have a shot at running their part of the pizza business”. His partnership with Papa John’s is a testament to that and his commitment to empowering local businesses, community organizations and building inclusive communities.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Investment in Papa John’s
Shaquille O’Neal, the famous basketball player, has made a huge investment in Papa John’s to become its brand ambassador and franchise owner. Papa John’s is one of the largest pizza delivery chains in the world, with over 5,000 restaurants in 45 countries. Shaq was first introduced to the company in 2019, after Papa John’s CEO Steve Ritchie reached out to him to discuss a potential partnership.
Shaq’s Purchase of 9 Papa John’s Restaurants
Shortly after joining Papa John’s as its brand ambassador, Shaq decided to invest in the company by purchasing nine restaurants in the Atlanta, Georgia area. He admitted that he had always been a fan of Papa John’s pizza, and he wanted to help the company regain its reputation after a series of controversies involving its founder John Schnatter.
Shaq’s Ownership of 155 Papa John’s Restaurants
In 2020, Shaq made headlines again when it was announced that he had become the owner of 155 Papa John’s restaurants in the United States. This amount is equivalent to about 1.3% of the company’s total restaurants. Shaq’s investment in Papa John’s is more than just a financial one for him. He is passionate about helping the company grow and thrive, and he believes that his ownership will give him the opportunity to do just that.
Shaq’s Plans for the Future of Papa John’s
Shaq has big plans for the future of Papa John’s. He has said that he wants to focus on expanding the company’s international presence, particularly in Europe and Asia. He also wants to improve the quality of the company’s ingredients and make sure that every customer has a positive experience when ordering from Papa John’s. In addition, Shaq has said that he wants to open more restaurants in underserved communities and provide job opportunities for people in those areas.
Shaq’s contributions to Papa John’s have been significant, and he has helped the company to overcome some of the challenges it has faced in recent years. With his ownership and his vision for the future, it is clear that Shaq is committed to making Papa John’s a successful and beloved brand worldwide.
