Papa John's International Inc. appointed independent director Olivia Kirtley as board chairman of the pizza chain after founder John Schnatter resigned.

Papa John's board voted unanimously for Kirtley, who has been serving as the lead independent director since 2017.

The company said its board's corporate governance and nominating committee has been searching for additional independent directors and intends to engage Papa John's shareholders in the process.

Former chairman Schnatter resigned over a July 11 Forbes report of his alleged use of a racial slur during a May call with a marketing company.

Schnatter sued the company over documents related to his departure, Reuters reported July 26