*By Michael Teich*
Nike's [decision](https://cheddar.com/videos/is-kaepernick-a-no-lose-proposition-for-nike) to feature Colin Kaepernick in its latest ad campaign isn't the only sponsor controversy that's hit the NFL this season ー and Pizza Hut has filled the hole left by Papa John's withdrawal.
"It's a direct invitation to our competitors' customers, Papa John's customers, and any of our competitors, to come join Hut rewards," said Marianne Radley, the chief brand officer for the pizza chain in the U.S., in an interview on Cheddar Tuesday.
The company, a subsidiary of Yum Brands, will mark its debut as the official pizza sponsor of the NFL when the 2018-19 season kicks off Thursday, offering a new rewards program targeting football fans.
Pizza Hut took over after several missteps by Papa John's former CEO. Founder John Schnatter had [blamed](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2018/05/09/papa-johns-tried-to-blame-the-nfl-for-bad-sales-that-clearly-wasnt-the-issue/?utm_term=.f2ecbb02fcef) players' decision to kneel for the anthem ー sparked, incidentally, by Kaepernick ー for leading to a decline in TV viewership of NFL games and his brand's meager sales. The drama didn't stop there. Schnatter [resigned](https://cheddar.com/videos/papa-johns-founder-resigns) in July from his position as chairman after he reportedly used racial slurs during a conference call. He'd given up the CEO spot in January.
While the NFL couldn't save Papa John's from declining sales, Radley said her company's strategy will yield better results by championing the real heroes of the game.
"You'll see a marked difference from the previous pizza sponsor of the NFL to the stance that we're taking," she said. "It's about celebrating the fans."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/pizza-hut-capitalizes-on-papa-johns-missteps-with-nfl-sponsorship).
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
About 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers like Home Depot are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada, due to a projectile hazard that has resulted in fractures and other injuries among some consumers.
President Donald Trump has fired one of two Democratic members of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to break a 2-2 tie ahead of the board considering the largest railroad merger ever proposed.
