Carl Greene's journey with Papa Johns began three decades ago when he stepped through an Orlando restaurant’s doors as a General Manager. Eager to execute on our commitment to Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.®, Carl dedicated himself to becoming an expert pizza maker, perfecting his craft by prioritizing operational excellence in his restaurant.
His hard work didn’t go unnoticed, and 15 years ago he was promoted to Director of Operations, a role in which he excelled from day one. Since then, Carl’s career has been filled with dedication, leadership and teamwork all while embodying the company's core values of People First, Innovate to Win, Everyone Belongs, Do the Right Thing and Have Fun. As Carl now steps into retirement, his legacy is a testament to his unwavering commitment to living out the values that drive our success.
His approach to leadership was simple: People First. He consistently prioritized his team and their success. In return, his team focused on delivering the best customer experience possible. Carl and his team ensured each customer left his restaurant feeling valued, taken care of and excited to dive into their delicious handmade pizza – creating a sense of loyalty and leaving a long-lasting impact on his customers.
Team members are quick to say that Carl’s restaurants epitomize our value of Everyone Belongs. “Every time I walk into one of Carl’s restaurants, I can feel the camaraderie among the team members,” said Bob Brown, Regional Senior Director of Operations. “He’s successfully established an environment that fosters growth, belonging and positivity.”
Carl’s approach to developing and investing in his team has allowed many of them to pursue new opportunities within the organization. One example of this is the Director of Core Menu Innovation Joel Brown, who was hired by Carl 22 years ago.
"Working with Carl has been a privilege,” said Joel. “His mentorship has been instrumental in my career development – he taught me how to slap dough. Carl's passion for operational excellence and innovation has left a lasting impression on anyone who has worked with him. I know the time he’s invested in his team will continue to pay off for years to come."
Carl managed eight restaurants in the Orlando market during his time as a Director of Operations. He continuously proved the importance of operations being at the foundation of their job, especially when it comes to our fresh original dough – ensuring every step is followed to maintain quality and freshness. His direct oversight and hands-on involvement were crucial to the restaurants’ success.
“Carl's ability to balance operational efficiency with a focus on quality has set a high standard for his successors,” said Bob. “He’s always held his team members to the highest standard, but it paid off because he regularly had the highest OSAT scores (Overall Satisfaction Scores) across our corporate restaurants.”
Carl believes in the importance of enjoying the journey. It’s pizza; it has to be fun! He hosts pizza-making competitions with his restaurant General Managers when he visits to showcase his passion for operations and his belief in Having Fun while working hard. These competitions have become a beloved tradition and highlight for team members each time Carl visits.
Throughout his career, Carl has won multiple awards and received highly sought after recognition. He’s been named the Overall Director of Operations (DO) in the country, nominated for a leadership award three times and received an award directly from the CEO four times.
"My years at Papa Johns have been incredibly fulfilling,” said Carl. “I've had the pleasure of working with some of the best in the industry and have seen our team grow and succeed. The values we uphold here—People First, Everyone Belongs, Innovate to Win, Do the Right Thing, and Have Fun—are not just words, but principles that we live by every day. I will cherish the memories and the relationships I've built over the years."
As Carl closes out his Papa Johns journey, Adam Gerstner, Vice President of Operations has this to say about Carl’s legacy. "Carl's contributions to Papa Johns have been invaluable,” said Adam. “His leadership, ability to inspire and commitment to our values have set a remarkable example for all of us. We are grateful for his years of service and wish him all the best.”
Carl Greene's legacy at Papa Johns will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact long after his retirement. His contributions have helped shape the company in countless ways, and his commitment to the core values will continue to inspire and guide team members now and in the future.
