I’m an NFL legend and Chicago Bears Super Bowl winner – I’ve been a big part of Papa John’s pizza success
TOM Andrews helped the Chicago Bears become one of the most dominant NFL teams of all time.
The former offensive tackle has also played a key role in the huge success of the Papa John’s pizza chain.
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Andrews only played in the NFL for three years but still managed to win a Super Bowl with the Bears in 1985.
After retiring in 1987, he moved into business, first in sales for a commercial aluminum company and then for a commercial printer.
His big break came in 1994 when he was hired by Papa John’s, a then-rising pizza company.
“They had about 100 stores at the time and were interested in me because they wanted to start a printing company that would be big enough to meet all their needs.” said Andrews.
“They wanted to use outside commercial work to fill in the gaps.”
After about a year in the company, he was taken on in the operational area of the company and trained in all matters.
“It required understanding everything from the ground up, including dough beating and pizza making,” Andrews said.
“I could actually open a store, run it, and close it when I’m done.”
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Andrews is now the long-time senior director of development and is tasked with helping the company grow both in the US and internationally.
“I’ve become a supply man in development, doing a little bit of everything, including selling franchises, and it’s a coincidence that the company started in 1985,” he notes.
Andrews’ stint in the NFL was brief but more than lived up to expectations.
“A lot of guys have been in the league for a long time and never get an opportunity to play in a Super Bowl, let alone win a Super Bowl,” he is aID.
“So I would say that the Super Bowl is probably what I’m most proud of.”