Papa John’s International Inc. said chief financial officer David Flanery will retire in May and that Lance Tucker has been named to succeed him
Flanery joined Louisville, Ky.-based Papa John’s in 1994 after 15 years with Ernst & Young. He has served the company in several financial and leadership roles during his career at Papa John’s, including as CFO since 2004 and as the interim head of the chain’s international division on three separate occasions.
“I’ve enjoyed being part of this great company and brand for the last 16 years,” Flanery said. “I’m proud of the role my team and I have been able to play in supporting Papa John’s growth over the years. I believe Papa John’s is well-positioned for growth in the years ahead.”
During his tenure with Papa John’s, the brand grew from 400 restaurants in 1994 to the world’s third-largest pizza chain with 3,646 locations worldwide.
“David has provided sound leadership of our financial functions during an important period of growth for the company,” Papa John’s co-chief executives, John Schnatter and Jude Thompson, said in a statement. “We know our shareholders join all of us at Papa John’s in thanking David for his service to the company and wishing him well in his new endeavors.”
Tucker has served as the chain’s senior vice president of strategic planning and chief of staff since 2010, a role in which he oversaw Papa John’s information services, risk services and project management offices. He had a prior stint with Papa John’s in several finance roles from 1994 to 1999 before leaving the company. He served as CFO of Evergreen Real Estate LLC, a business owned by Schnatter, from 2003 to 2009, before rejoining Papa John’s as chief of staff in 2009.
“Lance brings strong finance and restaurant industry experience and a deep understanding of our company to this important role,” Thompson said. “We are confident in his ability to continue Papa John’s commitment to financial discipline and building value for our shareholders.”
Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
