Sponsored By

Papa John’s COO Jim Norberg is leaving the companyPapa John’s COO Jim Norberg is leaving the company

The chief operating officer, North America, will remain on in a transitional role through March 1, 2022

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

October 22, 2021

1 Min Read
papa johns COO leaves
There is no word yet on who Norberg's replacement will be.Papa John's

Joanna Fantozzi

Jim Norberg, chief operating officer, North America of Papa John’s International, Inc., is leaving the company, according to an 8-k filed Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  

According to Papa John’s Norberg entered an agreement to leave the company on Oct. 20 and will remain on in a transition role through March 1, 2022, as the company looks for a replacement.

Norberg joined Papa John’s in July 2019 as the company’s first chief restaurants operations officer.

 “Jim is a seasoned expert whose depth and understanding of restaurant operations and the guest experience will help propel our brand forward and position us for continued success,” Papa John’s then-president and CEO Steve Ritchie said in a statement.

Prior to that role he worked at a consulting agency for a few years, and before that, Norberg had a 34-year career at McDonald’s, starting as a fry chef, and working his way up to executive vice president, chief operating officer.

The news comes on the heels of Papa John’s announcing an expanded role for Max Wetzel to executive vice president, chief commercial officer. 

There is no word yet on when Norberg’s replacement will be announced.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Find her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.