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FinancePapa John's

Papa John’s CEO Calls Executive Salaries ‘Immoral’

Lucinda Shen
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Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
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Lucinda Shen
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Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
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January 27, 2017, 9:33 AM ET
47th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards - RAM Red Carpet
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 01: Papa John's Pizza CEO John Schnatter arrives at the 47th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Angela Weiss/ACMA2012/Getty Images for ACM)Photograph by Angela Weiss — ACM via Getty Images

Papa John’s founder and CEO, who earned a $3.6 million salary in 2015, thinks executives salaries are” immoral.”

In an interview with Business Insider published Thursday, John Schnatter said he has refused a raise in the past 4 years or so, and is paid 20% of what the company’s board says he should be earning.

“It’s an immoral arrangement. It’s wrong,” Schnatter told Business Insider. “And that’s why corporate America has got a bad name.”

Despite passing on a raise, Schnatter owned 26.3% of the company by the end of 2016, meaning he is worth at least $710 million based on the stock’s Thursday closing price.

Shares of the company have rise near 75% over the past year.

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Lucinda Shen
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