Papa John's Camaro: It's back so it's free pizza for all, sort of 1John Schnatter cares about pizza, but not as much as he enjoys cars, or at least one car โ€” his 1971 Chevy Camaro Z28. And he’s so glad to have his prized possession back after losing track of the car for more than a quarter century, the owner of Papa John’s pizza chain is dishing out free pizzas Wednesday.

It all began in 1983. Schnatterโ€™s father, an Indiana bar owner, was on the verge of bankruptcy. Schnatter sold his most valuable possession, a black-and-gold striped Camaro for $2,800 to help his family.

With the proceeds, Schnatter bought some equipment and started selling pizzas out of a broom closet of his dad’s bar, digging their way out of bankruptcy one pizza at a time. The side business became Papa Johnโ€™s, the countryโ€™s third-largest pizza chain.

Papa John's Camaro: It's back so it's free pizza for all, sort of 2

But Schnatter (he’s pictured with his Camaro in 1971) lways wanted his Camaro back. And last week, after a nationwide campaign and increasing the reward from $25,00 to $250,000, Schnatterโ€™s bought his car back from its third owner โ€” and everyone is happy.

Schnatter is so pleased heโ€™s offering a free pizza Wednesday (August 26) to anyone who drives their Camaro to a Papa Johnโ€™s location.

“The Camaro represents what I gave up to start Papa John’s,” said Schnatter. “Words cannot capture the emotions I am feeling….I never gave up hope that someday I would get that car back.”

Schnatter didnโ€™t say how many pizzas he expects to distribute, but he can afford. Papa Johnโ€™s is worth an estimated $750 million.

Article Last Updated: August 25, 2008.

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