Herman Cain, a prominent figure in American politics and the former chairman and CEO of the beloved Godfather’s Pizza chain, has tragically passed away at the age of 74 after battling the coronavirus. This news has left a void in the hearts of many who admired his contributions to the business world and his bid for the presidency in 2012.
According to reports, Cain was admitted to the hospital earlier this month due to COVID-19. The gravity of his condition was apparent from the onset, as he experienced breathing difficulties and required ambulance transportation. Despite the hopes and prayers of many, the treatments he received were unable to alleviate his complex medical struggles.
Herman Cain’s remarkable journey began on December 13, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up in Atlanta, he embarked on a career path that led him to work for renowned companies such as Coca-Cola in the mid-1970s and later the Pillsbury Company in 1977. It was during this time that he displayed his impressive leadership skills and navigated Godfather’s Pizza through a challenging period. Cain made the difficult decision to close approximately 200 struggling stores and eliminate thousands of jobs, ultimately steering the company towards profitability. In 1988, he successfully orchestrated a leveraged buyout of Godfather’s in collaboration with the chain’s COO and a group of investors.
After leaving Godfather’s Pizza in 1996, Cain assumed the role of president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, where he served with distinction for three years. He garnered attention in 2011 when he announced his candidacy for the White House, emphasizing his pro-business stance. His proposed “9-9-9” tax reform plan, which advocated for a uniform 9 percent income tax, corporate tax, and national sales tax, captured the interest of the public. However, Cain eventually withdrew from the race amidst allegations of sexual harassment, which he vehemently denied.
In a revealing interview with GQ in 2011, Cain disclosed his discerning taste in pizza, humorously stating that the pizza he consumed had to be on par with Godfather’s to meet his standards. Additionally, he expressed his preference for meat toppings, playfully suggesting that the number of toppings on a pizza was directly proportional to a man’s masculinity. For Cain, a true manly man had no reservations about indulging in an abundance of toppings and dismissed pizzas overloaded with vegetables as inferior.
The passing of Herman Cain is a loss not only for those who admired his business acumen but also for those who respected his dedication to public service. His legacy will endure through the impact he made on the pizza industry and his contributions to political discourse in the United States.
To learn more about Godfather’s Pizza, please visit Hook’d Up Bar and Grill.