The Real Papa John Coming to the Vernon Papa John's

The local Papa John's is getting a visit from Papa John himself. 

Yes the real Papa John.

The Papa John's Pizza chain announced on Wednesday that the founder and CEO of Papa John’s, John Schnatter, will make an appearance at both the Bloomfield and Vernon locations on Jan. 31 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the company.

Schnatter is scheduled to meet with the staff and customers to, "thank them for their role in growing the Papa John's brand in Connecticut."

Papa John’s President and COO Tony Thompson, and board member Mark Shapiro will join him. 

“The fact that John, Tony, and Mark are taking time out of their busy schedules to visit our stores shows the excitement over what we have been able to accomplish in Connecticut in such a short period of time,” said franchise owner David Kass. “We are so excited to be in Bloomfield and Vernon, and to be part of this amazing company.”

Schnatter is slated to visit the Vernon store from 3:15 to 4 p.m. It is located next to Stop & Shop and Scranton Motors at 40 Windsorville Rd. 

He is scheduled to be at the Bloomfield Papa John's at 695 Park Ave. from 2 to 3 p.m.

The Vernon Papa John's opened in December. 

Papa John’s Pizza opened seven stores in Connecticut during 2013 and has four more scheduled to open in 2014.  

To commemorate the anniversary and Schnatter's visit, the Papa John’s outlets in Bloomfield and Vernon are offering large cheese pizzas for $6.25, the original price of a pizza when the first Papa John’s opened in 1984. The offer is only valid at the two locations on Jan. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. and is only valid in-store with no delivery available.