The logo of Papa John’s Pizza has remained largely consistent since its introduction in 1984, with only a few subtle adjustments made over the years. The iconic design has become synonymous with the brand, and founder John Schnatter has openly acknowledged that he still owes the designer, who, interestingly, has never come forward.

The original logo, created in 1984, consisted of a red and white banner, with the red part arched above the wordmark in black, set against a white background. The lettering used a bold sans-serif typeface, with the letters arranged in varying sizes to match the curve of the arched structure. The word "Pizza" was placed above "Papa John’s" in red letters. This early design was simple and easy to recognize.

From 1984 to 1994, the logo's color scheme shifted, with the wordmark turned red and placed on a white geometric background framed by a green outline. The arched structure of the lettering remained, keeping the original playful and approachable style.

In 1994, the logo received a significant refinement. The original sans-serif typeface was replaced with a solid serif font, and the letters were given a thin green shadow, adding a modern touch. The word "Pizza" was placed on a green ribbon at the top of the emblem, reinforcing the brand’s visual identity while giving the logo a more polished appearance.

In 2018, Papa John’s introduced a bold rework of its logo. The wordmark was positioned diagonally on a red and green banner, with the red portion higher than the green. While the color palette remained the same, the new angles and layout made the logo look more modern and distinctive. However, this version was short-lived, lasting only a few months before being retired.

By 2019, the company returned to a version of the 1995 logo, with some key changes. The serif typeface was simplified and modernized, and the green shadows on the lettering were removed. The green itself was deepened to give a more professional feel. The redesigned logo evoked a sense of success, while maintaining the familiarity of the brand’s original identity.

In 2021, Papa John’s made the bold decision to streamline the logo even further. The apostrophe was removed, and the letters of "Papa Johns" were slightly shortened. The green elements were eliminated, leaving only the red wordmark, which was given a paler shade of red. This minimalist approach reflected the brand’s commitment to simplicity and modernity, while retaining the essence of its original design.

Interestingly, Schnatter has revealed that the designer of the original logo was promised a lifetime supply of free pizza, a promise that, according to Schnatter, has yet to be fulfilled. Given the brand’s success, this would now amount to around $16,000 worth of pizza, but the designer has never come forward to claim the prize.

Papa John’s famous slogan, "Better Ingredients. Better Pizza." has also been a point of controversy. In 1988, Pizza Hut sued the company, arguing that Papa John’s claim was misleading, as their own slogan promised "the best pizza under one roof." However, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, with Papa John’s maintaining that the slogan was simply a matter of opinion and not a scientific fact.

The typeface used in the Papa John’s logo is believed to be Aachen Bold, a font that aligns with the brand’s approachable, bold image. The use of a pre-existing font fits the design ethos of the company, as the logo has always strived to be clean, direct, and easily recognizable.