FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Papa Murphy’s Seeks Bigger ‘Slice of the Pie’ in St. Louis
World’s largest take ‘n’ bake pizza company targets local market for expansion;
Empowers customers to take control of dinner occasion
VANCOUVER, Wash. – Sometimes it’s hard to fit a homemade meal into our daily schedules. Finding recipes, prepping ingredients, cooking, setting the table, and cleaning up after dinner can be a daunting task.
But who says family time at the dinner table has to become a casualty of our busy lifestyles? Not Papa Murphy’s.
With 10 locations currently open and operating in St. Louis, the world’s largest take ‘n’ bake pizza company is empowering consumers to take control of the dinner occasion. Papa Murphy’s is poised to open an additional 10 stores throughout the greater area in the next year.
“It’s an exciting time for us as we continue to strengthen our footprint as the largest player in the take ‘n’ bake pizza category,” said Kevin King, chief development officer for Papa Murphy’s. “Our brand has found a sweet spot in this economy. We’re a high-value, quality-oriented solution for families who are evaluating their out-of-home dining purchases.”
Since its inception 30 years ago, Papa Murphy’s has carved out a unique and growing niche in an industry long dominated by four major players – Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Little Caesars and Papa John’s. And with consumers continuing to cut back on dining out, Papa Murphy’s is seeing its popularity skyrocket.
The take ‘n’ bake market differs from the pizza-buffet or pizza delivery markets in that customers take home a custom pizza that is then baked in their own oven.
Here is how the pizza building process works at Papa Murphy’s 1,300+ units nationwide:
The customer places an order – either in person or by calling ahead – for one of Papa Murphy’s regular menu items or a unique creation of their own. All pizzas are built on Papa Murphy’s proprietary bake ‘n’ serve paper tray that is covered with dough made fresh every day in each store. Sauce is spread generously over the dough, followed by a choice of more than 20 fresh toppings. The pizza is then wrapped in clear cellophane and handed to the customer with simple baking instructions.
“Every one of our pizzas is made fresh to create unique flavors,” King added. “They’re never cold, greasy or late. Customers take their pizza home, bake it to perfection and serve it hot out of their oven.”
To augment the company’s growth, Papa Murphy’s is seeking franchisee candidates that meet specific qualifications. Candidates must have a desire to own and operate a simple and easy-to-execute concept that requires minimal space and no need for ovens or delivery vehicles, among other benefits that keep overhead costs low. The average cost to open a Papa Murphy’s is approximately $209,330 to $396,710, a lower initial investment than most chains in the quick service industry.
For information on franchise opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Papa Murphy’s Franchise Sales Department at 877-777-5062 or visit www.papamurphys.com.
About Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy's is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take 'n' bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy's operates over 1,300 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store. By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take 'n' bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s was recently voted “#1 Rated Pizza Chain” by surveyors in Zagat Survey’s 2010 & 2011 Fast Food Surveys and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com. Find Papa Murphy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.
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