Papa John’s Price Increase For Pizza Imminent, CEO John Schnatter Blames Obamacare

Schnatter broke the news to shareholders during a conference call last week, according to Politico, citing President Barack Obama's controversial health care law as the reason for the price increase. The pizza CEO said the health care law, set to roll out in 2014, will result in higher costs for the company to produce its pizza, forcing the pizza chain to increase prices for customers, but marginally.

"Our best estimate is that the Obamacare will cost 11 to 14 cents per pizza, or 15 to 20 cents per order from a corporate basis," Schnatter said, according to Politico.

Schnatter said Papa John's, the third largest pizza chain based in Louisville, Ken., will be forced to offer health care coverage for its 16,500 employees or pay a penalty fine.

"We're not supportive of Obamacare, like most businesses in our industry. But our business model and unit economics are about as ideal as you can get for a food company to absorb Obamacare," he said. "If Obamacare is in fact not repealed, we will find tactics to shallow out any Obamacare costs and core strategies to pass that cost onto consumers in order to protect our shareholders best interests."

Similarly, fast food chain McDonald's said Obamacare will cost each of its 14,000 franchise locations anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000, Businessweek reported. Subway, Burger King ans Dunkin Donuts, along with McDonald's, filed complaints at Capitol Hill regarding future extra costs because of the health care law.

Papa John's International Inc. (PZZA) saw strong sales last quarter, with a 6.7 percent share surge to $54.43 on Aug. 1. The chain reported an increase in revenue and profit with $0.61 earnings per share up from $0.47 per share the previous year.