Papa John’s Raises More than $3 Million with the Shaq-a-Roni Pizza

In October, Papa John’s announced it has raised more than $3 million through sales of the Shaq-a-Roni pizza for The Papa John’s Foundation for Building Community, which supports communities as they work together for equality, fairness, respect and opportunity for all.

The Shaq-a-Roni, offered for a limited time and named after board member and owner, Shaquille O’Neal, is an extra-large pizza made with Papa John’s fresh, never-frozen six ingredient dough, topped with extra cheese and extra pepperoni, then cut into Papa John’s largest slice size to-date.

This pizza was a slam dunk! From June 29 through August 23, one dollar from every Shaq-a-Roni sold was donated to The Papa John’s Foundation which will distribute the donated funds to organizations that support its mission and support COVID-19 relief and the fight against racial injustice:

• World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés, will receive support for COVID-19 food relief. The donation will support World Central Kitchen’s “Restaurant for the People” program, which engages local restaurants to prepare meals that are then delivered to food insecure communities that have been identified through local partnerships.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a youth development nonprofit and two-year partner of The Papa John’s Foundation, will continue receiving support to help address the challenges posed by COVID-19 for kids and families, and to drive leadership development programs for kids in local communities.
• UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization will receive funding to support initiatives designed to move historically Black college and university students to and through college. Specifically, the donation will benefit UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid (ESA) program providing COVID-19 relief, as well as scholarships and leadership development.
• Goodr, which supports nonprofits who directly serve the community, will receive funding to continue support of efforts to reach food secure communities, especially challenged during COVID-19 pandemic.
• GLI (Greater Louisville Inc., The Metro Chamber of Commerce funding will support the Business Council to End Racism, a program designed to support diverse-owned small businesses with financial access, business planning and other needs to scale and grow their operations.