Papa John’s CFO Shakeup - Leadership Update
Papa John’s announces the departure of CFO Ravi Thanawala and the appointment of Chris Collins as interim CFO, signaling strategic leadership changes in the company’s finance team.
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Papa John’s announces the departure of CFO Ravi Thanawala and the appointment of Chris Collins as interim CFO, signaling strategic leadership changes in the company’s finance team.

Papa John’s International is entering a new phase of financial leadership with the announcement that CFO Ravi Thanawala will depart to lead the finance team at another publicly traded company. Longtime financial expert Chris Collins is stepping into the role as interim Chief Financial Officer, bringing more than three decades of industry experience to ensure a smooth transition and continued strategic focus. For restaurant owners and operators, leadership stability in the finance office is critical for maintaining momentum on initiatives, capital projects, and operational improvements - especially in a competitive quick-service sector like pizza.
Chris Collins brings extensive public company expertise to the interim CFO position, having recently served as Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance and Principal Accounting Officer at Papa John’s. His career also spans key roles at Signet Jewelers, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, and American Axle & Manufacturing, giving him a robust toolkit for guiding large-scale restaurant operations. For Papa John’s franchisees and industry watchers, the company’s quick transition planning, with Thanawala remaining on in an advisory capacity through July, signals a proactive approach to safeguarding financial continuity. The company has already begun an executive search for a permanent CFO, while ensuring current priorities - like optimizing operations and strengthening the brand - stay on track.
Papa John’s leadership is emphasizing collaboration and operational efficiency during this transition. Chris Collins has voiced his commitment to partnering with the executive leadership team to advance efficiency initiatives, support the fleet, and enhance the company’s market position. For operators, this steady hand at the financial wheel means reliability in supply chain, technology, and performance improvement rollouts - even amidst C-suite changes. On a day-to-day level, Marc Richard, Senior Vice President of North America Operations, has assumed wider responsibilities to cover all North American operations, streamlining oversight and continuing the company’s strategic initiatives.
Stakeholders can expect continuity and transparency as Papa John’s prepares to release its Q2 financial results on August 6, 2026. The executive team - including Chris Collins in his interim role - will outline performance, priorities, and ongoing transformation efforts. For restaurant managers and franchise partners, maintaining focus during top-level changes is vital - robust financial systems and leadership can help cushion staff, operations, and customer experience from unnecessary disruption. The announcement also highlights the importance of adaptable leadership structures in modern restaurant businesses. By communicating changes swiftly and ensuring experienced leadership at every step, brands like Papa John’s can navigate transitions with minimal impact on daily operations - setting a valuable example for restaurant professionals seeking long-term resilience.
Papa John’s approach to its finance leadership transition offers key takeaways for every restaurant business. Succession planning, transparent communication, and empowering strong interim leaders help safeguard not just operational continuity but also build trust - internally and externally. Whether you’re running a single store or a multi-unit franchise, these values are essential in today’s evolving industry. Stay tuned for more insights after Papa John’s quarterly results, as the ongoing CFO search continues and the brand reinforces its transformation journey.