Papa Murphy's
An American take-and-bake pizza chain whose stores prepare pizzas for customers to bake at home.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Papa Murphy's is a North American pizza brand built around a take-and-bake operating model. Instead of baking pizzas in the store, its employees assemble made-to-order pizzas with fresh dough, sauce, cheese, meats, vegetables, and other toppings, then package them for customers to take home and bake. The format distinguishes the chain from conventional delivery and quick-service pizza restaurants, while allowing stores to operate with less cooking equipment and, in many cases, a smaller footprint. The brand traces its roots to two regional businesses. Papa Aldo's Pizza was established in Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1981, while Murphy's Pizza began in Petaluma, California, in 1984. The two businesses were subsequently acquired and consolidated by Terry Collins, creating the Papa Murphy's system. The company was incorporated as Papa Murphy's International, Inc., and the combined chain developed a national franchising model based on fresh preparation and customer-directed home baking. In 1995, the two predecessor concepts were formally brought together under the Papa Murphy's name. During the 2000s, Papa Murphy's expanded its store base and corporate structure. The business was merged with PMI Holdings, Inc. in 2004. In 2010, ownership passed to Lee Equity Partners, a New York private-equity firm. The chain reported sales of $702 million in 2011 and $800 million in 2012, when it operated approximately 1,350 outlets; those historical figures are reported in the cited reference material and should not be treated as current performance indicators. Papa Murphy's pursued a public-market listing as it continued to grow. Its initial public offering was announced in 2014, and the company began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol FRSH on May 2, 2014, raising $64.1 million. The company later encountered operating and financial pressure. After reporting a loss in the third quarter of 2016, it announced plans for its first national advertising campaign, intended to strengthen awareness and customer traffic. Results in 2017 and 2018 alternated between losses and profitability, reflecting challenges common to franchised restaurant systems, including store productivity, marketing costs, competition, and changing consumer demand. In April 2019, MTY Food Group announced an agreement to acquire Papa Murphy's for $190 million. The transaction closed in May 2019, after which Papa Murphy's ceased to be a Nasdaq-listed company and became part of MTY's portfolio of restaurant brands. The brand continues to operate primarily through franchised and corporate locations in the United States and Canada, with additional presence in the United Arab Emirates. Customers can order in stores, online, or by telephone; selected locations also provide drive-through pickup. The menu generally includes take-and-bake pizzas, salads, desserts, and soft drinks. Papa Murphy's current identity remains closely associated with customization, take-home preparation, and the promise of a freshly baked pizza without requiring customers to prepare the dough and toppings themselves.
History
Papa Murphy's developed from two independently established take-and-bake pizza chains. Papa Aldo's Pizza began in Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1981, and Murphy's Pizza opened in Petaluma, California, in 1984. Their shared business logic was to prepare pizzas for customers in the store while leaving the final baking step to the customer at home. This model reduced the need for ovens, dining space, and other equipment associated with conventional pizza restaurants. Terry Collins later acquired and consolidated the two businesses. The combined operation adopted the Papa Murphy's name and was incorporated as Papa Murphy's International, Inc. The merger of the predecessor concepts is generally dated to 1995. The chain expanded through franchising, and its take-and-bake format became the central feature of its brand identity. In 2003, Restaurants and Institutions magazine recognized Papa Murphy's as the best pizza chain in America, according to the cited reference material. The company continued to reorganize its corporate structure during the following decade. Papa Murphy's was merged with PMI Holdings, Inc. in 2004. Lee Equity Partners acquired the chain in 2010. Reported sales reached $702 million in 2011 and $800 million in 2012, while the system had approximately 1,350 outlets in 2012. In 2013, Reuters reported that the private-equity owner was preparing a public offering, and the IPO plan was formally announced in March 2014. Papa Murphy's began trading on Nasdaq as FRSH on May 2, 2014, raising $64.1 million. The public-company period was marked by uneven performance. After a third-quarter loss in 2016, management announced a national advertising initiative for 2017. The franchisor experienced alternating losses and profits in 2017 and 2018, amid pressure from competition and store-level economics. In April 2019, MTY Food Group announced that it would acquire the business for $190 million. The acquisition was completed in May 2019, and Papa Murphy's was delisted from Nasdaq. Under MTY Food Group, Papa Murphy's remains a take-and-bake pizza system operating in the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. Its stores generally accept walk-in, telephone, and online orders, and some locations offer drive-through pickup. The menu has expanded beyond pizza to include salads, desserts, and beverages, but the brand's principal differentiator remains the preparation of an unbaked, customized pizza for the customer to bake at home.
- 2019
Acquired by MTY Food Group
[1]MTY Food Group completes its acquisition of Papa Murphy's for a reported $190 million, and the brand is removed from Nasdaq.
- 2014
Papa Murphy's becomes a Nasdaq-listed company
[1]The company begins Nasdaq trading under the symbol FRSH on May 2 and reportedly raises $64.1 million in its offering.
- 2010
Lee Equity Partners acquires the chain
[1]Ownership of Papa Murphy's passes to Lee Equity Partners.
- 2004
Merger with PMI Holdings
[1]Papa Murphy's is merged with PMI Holdings, Inc. as part of its corporate development.
- 2003
Recognized as a leading pizza chain
[1]Restaurants and Institutions magazine names Papa Murphy's the best pizza chain in America, according to the cited reference.
- 1995
Papa Aldo's and Murphy's are consolidated
[1]The two regional take-and-bake pizza businesses are brought together under the Papa Murphy's name after acquisition and consolidation by Terry Collins.
- 1984
Murphy's Pizza is founded
[1]Murphy's Pizza begins operating in Petaluma, California.
- 1981
Papa Aldo's Pizza is founded
[1]Papa Aldo's Pizza begins operating in Hillsboro, Oregon, establishing one of the two predecessor businesses of Papa Murphy's.
Products and positioning
A mid-market, convenience-oriented pizza brand focused on customized fresh preparation and home baking rather than in-store cooking or delivery.
Pizza
Take 'N' Bake Pizza
The brand's core product is a pizza assembled in the store but sold unbaked. Customers select a pizza style, size, crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings, then take the prepared pizza home for final baking. This format combines restaurant preparation with at-home cooking and is intended to provide a freshly baked result without requiring customers to make the dough or assemble the toppings themselves.
Side dish
Salads
Papa Murphy's stores offer salads as an accompaniment or alternative to pizza. Availability and specific varieties may differ by location because the chain operates through a mixture of franchised and corporate outlets.
Dessert
Desserts
Dessert items form part of the brand's supplementary menu. They extend the take-home meal occasion beyond the main pizza product, although the exact assortment is location-dependent.
Beverage
Soft drinks
Soft drinks are sold in various sizes at Papa Murphy's locations as a beverage accompaniment to take-and-bake meals.
Controversies
2022
Online chat wiretapping class action
A class action filed in October 2022 alleged that the company secretly intercepted or recorded private conversations conducted through Papa Murphy's online chat feature. The available reference does not establish the final outcome of the litigation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017First national advertising campaign
United States
After a third-quarter loss in 2016, Papa Murphy's announced that it would run its first national advertising campaign in 2017 to increase consumer awareness and support sales across the system.
Outcome. The available reference material does not provide a measured campaign result.
Brand decisions
2019
Sale to MTY Food GroupM&ABackground
Papa Murphy's had experienced inconsistent financial results and was operating as a public company after its 2014 IPO.
Action taken
MTY Food Group agreed to acquire Papa Murphy's and completed the transaction in May 2019.
Aftermath
Papa Murphy's became part of MTY Food Group and was delisted from Nasdaq.
Acquisition value. $190 million transaction value (April-May 2019)
2016
National advertising response to weak performanceStrategyBackground
The company reported a loss in the third quarter, increasing pressure to improve brand visibility and customer traffic.
Action taken
Management announced the launch of Papa Murphy's first national advertising campaign for 2017.
Aftermath
The available reference material does not provide a quantified result, while the company continued to experience uneven profitability in 2017 and 2018.
2014
Public-market listingStrategyBackground
Following expansion under private-equity ownership, Papa Murphy's pursued a public offering to raise capital and establish a traded equity platform.
Action taken
The company announced its IPO plans in March 2014 and began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol FRSH on May 2, 2014.
Aftermath
The offering reportedly raised $64.1 million. Papa Murphy's later returned to private ownership after its acquisition by MTY Food Group in 2019.
IPO proceeds. $64.1 million raised (May 2, 2014)
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Papa Murphy’s and Fritos introduce Fritos Outlaw Pizza[3]
Papa Murphy’s offered the limited-edition Fritos Outlaw Pizza at its locations nationwide through September. The pizza combines BBQ flavors with Fritos corn chips.
Reported
Papa Murphy’s unveils new logo and store design[4]
Papa Murphy’s unveiled a new logo and a store design called “Kitchen Delite.” The redesign features an open-concept kitchen and is available for stores nationwide.
Reported
Papa Murphy’s offers a 25% off coupon[5]
Papa Murphy’s offered viewers a 25% discount on any $20 order at regular menu price using code RACE 500 during the weekend.
Sources6 sources
- 1Papa Murphy'sen.wikipedia.org
- 2Papa Murphy's official websitepapamurphys.com
- 3Papa Murphy’s与Fritos推出Fritos Outlaw披萨wishtv.com
- 4Papa Murphy’s发布新标识和门店设计nrn.com
- 5Papa Murphy’s 提供 25% 折扣优惠券wishtv.com
- 6Papa Murphy’s looks to refresh struggling brand with new store design and logo, according to company execsnrn.com
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