Papa Johns CFO steps down; interim named
One of the world’s largest pizza chains is on the hunt for a new finance chief.
Papa Johns has named Chris Collins, senior VP of corporate finance and principal accounting officer, to the position of interim chief financial officer, effective immediately. Collins succeeds Ravi Thanawala, who is leaving the company to assume a chief financial officer position at another public company. He spent three years in the role after joining Papa Johns from Nike.
Thanawala will serve advisory capacity until July 31. Papa Johns has commenced a search for a permanent chief financial officer.
Collins has more than 30 years of experience leading finance functions at public companies in the United States and internationally. He joined Papa Johns as VP of treasury and tax in April 2021 and previously served as the company’s interim chief financial officer and principal accounting officer from March 2023 until July 2023. He was appointed to his current role in July 2025.
“Chris is a proven finance leader with deep knowledge of the company and the opportunities we are pursuing to maximize shareholder value and position Papa Johns for its greatest success as the best pizza makers in the business,” said Papa Johns president and CEO Todd Penegor, who has led the company since 2024. “I am confident that Chris’ support in this interim role along with our talented team will enable continued execution on our transformation priorities.”
Prior to joining Papa Johns, Collins served as the VP of treasury at Signet Jewelers from 2019 until 2020. Before that, he held several financial leadership roles with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the U.S. and Europe, and with American Axle & Manufacturing.
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“I look forward to working closely with Todd and the Papa Johns Executive Leadership Team to further drive operating efficiencies, optimize the company’s fleet and strengthen the Papa Johns brand,” said Collins.
Co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and Louisville, Ky., Papa Johns is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories.
