The founder of Papa John’s International Inc. has sued for access to board documents related to his ouster from the pizza chain, after it was reported that he used a racial slur in a company training session.

John Schnatter’s books-and-records suit, filed Thursday afternoon in the Delaware Court of Chancery, accused Papa John’s directors at best of being “grossly negligent” in their decision to fire its former CEO earlier this month. At worst, Schnatter said, the board had acted in bad faith by orchestrating a “coup” to ensure his ouster.