Papa Johns Announces C-Suite Shakeup Amidst Major Menu Change
Papa Johns is under new leadership.
Papa Johns is making headlines this month — not just for what’s happening in its kitchens, but also for its latest moves in the boardroom. The pizza giant has officially announced a high-level executive shakeup alongside the permanent return of a fan-favorite menu item, signaling a broader strategy shift aimed at reclaiming its edge in an increasingly competitive fast-casual dining market.
Papa Johns Appoints Caroline Miller Oyler as Chief Administrative Officer
Per a company press release, in a major corporate restructuring, Papa Johns promoted Caroline Miller Oyler to chief administrative officer, effective immediately. Oyler, a 26-year veteran of the company, has served as chief legal and risk officer since 2018 and will continue her role as corporate secretary.
The expanded position consolidates several departments under her oversight, including human resources and culture (people experience), legal, risk, safety and security, internal audit, and facilities. This strategic consolidation aims to increase efficiency and foster closer collaboration among essential support functions.
“Caroline has been an integral part of Papa Johns for more than two decades,” said CEO Todd Penegor. “Her deep institutional knowledge and proven leadership across multiple functions make her ideally suited to lead this newly formed role as we continue to transform our company for long-term growth.”
Oyler’s familiarity with the brand and past interim leadership of the HR function — across three separate periods (2008-2009, 2018-2019, and 2022) — makes her a logical fit for this new, centralized leadership model. The move marks a return to stabilizing, long-term internal leadership following several high-profile executive exits in recent years.
The Shaq-a-Roni Pizza Is Now a Permanent Menu Staple
While the C-suite reorganization takes shape, Papa Johns is also drawing attention to the front end of the business with a bold, nostalgic, and strategic menu move: the Shaq-a-Roni pizza is now a permanent fixture.
Originally launched in 2020 as a limited-time collaboration with basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal — who also served on the Papa Johns board between 2019 and 2024 — the Shaq-a-Roni quickly became a fan favorite for its oversized portions and charity tie-ins.
Now, nearly five years after its debut, the Shaq-a-Roni will be offered year-round nationwide.
“The Shaq-a-Roni isn’t just a pizza — it’s a slam dunk,” said O’Neal to Parade Magazine. “I’m pumped that it’s now here to stay. It’s big, it’s delicious, and it brings people together — just like pizza should.”
The pizza itself is an eight-slice, extra-large pie topped with over half a pound of cheese and extra pepperoni, and it currently retails for approximately $15.99, though pricing varies by location.
Jenna Bromberg, chief marketing officer at Papa Johns, emphasized the brand’s commitment to customer value: “Since it was first introduced five years ago, the Shaq-a-Roni has offered the craveable flavors pizza fans can find only at Papa Johns. Now, it’s here to deliver XL-sized value every day!”
As part of the rollout, O’Neal is sending Shaq-a-Roni pizzas to organizations in communities that hold personal significance to him — including Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles, Baton Rouge, Las Vegas, and Atlanta — further amplifying the product’s community-driven brand identity.
Fixing the Marketing Misstep: From ‘Back to Better 2.0’ to Local Reconnection
These announcements come as Papa Johns continues to recalibrate after a rocky few quarters. In 2024, the company launched its “Back to Better 2.0” campaign, aiming to reenergize the brand through high-gloss national marketing. The initiative was designed under former CEO Rob Lynch, who departed the company to join Shake Shack last year.
However, the strategy — centered entirely around national-level advertising — left franchisees without the local marketing resources they had previously relied on. Co-ops were dissolved, and the absence of community-level engagement created what new CEO Todd Penegor called a “big miss.”
“We made local optional,” Penegor explained. “All the co-ops went away. And not having the co-ops to be able to put the franchise community together in the communities that we serve… is a big mess in a business that is a very regional business, especially pizza being so localized.”
Since stepping in, Penegor has moved quickly to undo that mistake by reinstating local marketing efforts and rebuilding regional franchise engagement — an essential correction for a brand that depends heavily on customer loyalty and regional preference.
The Road Ahead for Papa Johns
The combined leadership restructuring, menu expansion, and marketing recalibration all point toward a larger brand evolution for Papa Johns. With legacy executives like Oyler stepping into broader roles and trusted brand elements like the Shaq-a-Roni becoming core menu features, the company is signaling that it is serious about stability, familiarity, and customer satisfaction.
The competitive pizza market remains fierce, with Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and a host of smaller players all jockeying for attention, but with a focus on operational efficiency and regional resonance, Papa Johns appears to be laying the groundwork for a comeback.
As 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on how these strategic pivots translate to earnings — and whether Papa Johns can once again rise to the top of America’s pizza hierarchy.
