The dispute resulted in lawsuits and a deal with activist investor Starboard Value, whose CEO became chairman of the board of Papa John's in 2019 after Schnatter left the company. While Starboard's influence helped the company turn around its fortunes, restaurant industry players have suggested further work was necessary. This has led some to speculate that Papa John's could be a take-private target, to allow for more improvements to be made away from the glare of public-market investors.