Welcome New Papa Murphy’s Yuma AZ Location!

Papa Murphy’s celebrates a new store opening with Jaime and Isabel Lopez, Steven & Janelle Raabe

The Papa Murphy’s footprint keeps growing across the United States. It’s no surprise, given that this brand has been a leading innovator in the competitive pizza franchise space for almost 40 years, and continues to create a bold, exciting experience for consumers and franchise owners alike.

Recently, Jaime and Isabel Lopez, and Steven and Janelle Raabe, opened the second Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise in Yuma, Arizona. The Lopezes were managers at the first Yuma store for three years, before becoming partners and owners in October 2021, and the Raabes opened that first store in 2009. Here, Steven Raabe and Jaime Lopez share why they wanted to keep working together to grow Papa Murphy’s Yuma, AZ.

What did you do before joining Papa Murphy’s?

Steven: Janelle and I both had careers in the Nevada state government. Janelle worked for several agencies before retiring as a DMV supervisor, and I was a state trooper for 25 years before retiring as a Lieutenant. In 1995, we started a fish pond/water-garden business in our backyard in Carson City, which grew to a million-dollar annual revenue company serving all of Northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region.

When not working, we travel and visit grandchildren. Janelle is a big-time quilter and does beautiful work. Steven is a writer and has had one book published called Patrolling the Heart of the West, which had been an Amazon in the top 100 of law enforcement biographies for four years.

Jaime: I managed a Papa Murphy’s store along with my wife Isabel for about three years.

What do you like about Papa Murphy’s?

Steven: Papa Murphy’s is a great product at a great price, and we were happy customers long before we opened our store. Our product is loaded with quality ingredients, and it shows.

Jaime: Isabel and I love the product so much! I can’t remember having any other pizza that was not Papa Murphy for at least the last 13 years.

What made you decide to invest in a Papa Murphy’s franchise?

Steven: I retired from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and ran for sheriff in Humboldt County, Nevada. After losing the election by 69 votes, we decided we were too young to retire completely, so we opened a Papa Murphy’s franchise in Yuma, where we spend the winter months.

Jaime: We want to build a future business with our three children, and along the way spend more time with them!

What do you like best about working with the Papa Murphy’s franchise team?

Steven: I think Papa Murphy’s Corporate today is stable, organized, and continues in a positive direction. Everyone we have dealt with, from Papa Murphy’s corporate through planning, construction, and opening, has been wonderful to work with, professional, responsive, and nice.

Jaime: Papa Murphy’s is a complete team that is always there to help you along the way!

What would you like to share about the Papa Murphy’s Yuma, AZ Franchise experience?

Steven: Eventually, every owner needs an exit plan. We recently took advantage of the new Papa Murphy’s Manager to Owner Program. We have three grown children who have no desire to take over our business, so we brought our long-time employee Isabel Lopez and her husband Jaime on as partners in both stores. I recommend this for those who are looking for a path to work less and eventually retire.

What are your plans for the future? Do you see another unit?

Steven: Janelle and I plan to work less and play more. Any future stores will be planned and executed by our partners Jaime and Isabel.

Jaime: We want to run these stores as best we can, with the help of the franchise team, and possibly a third store in the future.

Learn more about the Papa Murphy’s franchise opportunity

Papa Murphy’s take and bake pizza franchises is a low-cost investment opportunity, offering high growth potential with the support of industry leader Kahala Brands™. Join this dynamic brand as we expand our footprint across the United States. Initial investment costs range from $308,469 – $557,879, depending on numerous factors, including geographic areas, condition of the premises, and construction costs.

We have grown to more than 1,200 locations thanks to a business model built for entrepreneurs who are passionate about quality, service, integrity, and most of all — pizza. For more in-depth details about the Papa Murphy’s franchise opportunity, fill out our form here. One of our franchise team members will be in touch with a copy of our Franchise Information Report.