August 3, 2018 UPDATE
The space in the Union food court will open this fall as The Hive Express and will serve pizzas, pastas and wings. The Hive Express will be a smaller version of The Hive, a late-night pizza restaurant that will open this fall at 2203 Red Butte Canyon Road, near Heritage Commons Housing.
July 20, 2018
The news of Papa John’s founder John Schnatter using a racial slur is in direct opposition to the values of the University of Utah, which strives to be a welcoming and inclusive place for people of all backgrounds.
As a result, the Papa John’s location in the Union food court is now closed, and a new restaurant is expected to be in its place by fall semester.
“We’re always working to make our campus a place that reflects our values,” said Jerry Basford, associate vice president for Student Affairs Business and Auxiliary Services. “The actions of this individual, from the top ranks of the company, clearly do not align with our beliefs, and we hope to find an alternative that is a better fit with us.”