Papa Murphy’s Franchise Owner Spotlight: Meet Taylor Curry

How a young entrepreneur realized her dreams of business ownership through Papa Murphy’s Manager to Owner program

When Taylor Curry was 18, she got her first job at Papa Murphy’s in Tucson, Arizona, and now, 10 years later, Taylor owns a Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise opportunity in a suburb of Phoenix.

“I started out as a crew member, making pizzas and doing dishes,” Taylor says. “It was my first job, and I really liked it. At the time, I never imagined owning my own business, but when I came back to Papa Murphy’s after a brief employment at a coffee shop, I worked my way up to a management position and the idea of owning my own business started to take shape.”

Taylor’s passion and talent for running Papa Murphy’s locations was noticed by her boss, Jeff Sery, a multi-unit franchise owner who also started his Papa Murphy’s career as a crew member that paved his way to ownership. Jeff recommended Taylor as a candidate for Papa Murphy’s Manager to Owner program, which helps talented managers get their start in business ownership. “I thought Taylor and I had a lot in common. She was thinking about how to move her career forward and if Papa Murphy’s would continue to factor into that career. It wasn’t long ago I was in a very similar position, and I was happy to pay forward all the help I received. It’s been exciting to see her take the next jump with the Manager to Owner program.”

“Jeff was very encouraging,” Taylor says. “He wanted to see me grow. It was really validating to have his belief in me that I could do this. He gave me the confidence to own my own business.”

After moving from Tucson and managing the Phoenix suburb store for about a year, Taylor and Jeff formed a business partnership in September 2020, and she hit the ground running with Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise opportunity.

“The store is doing incredibly well,” Taylor says. “I had been managing the store for nearly a year, and in that time, we’ve increased sales by 20%. When I took over as owner, I jumped in headfirst. It’s been a very rewarding experience to connect with guests, build relationships, and focus on growing my business.”

Now Taylor is responsible for several employees, many of whom never had a job before joining Papa Murphy’s. Taylor is focused on making sure her employees love their jobs as much as she loved her job when she first started with Papa Murphy’s.

“I’ve worked hard to create a store environment that is positive for my employees,” she says. “It feels like I’ve come full circle. Now, I’m creating a culture where I’m inspiring and mentoring my employees. I’m teaching them how to interact with our guests, the importance of delivering a great experience, and even making sure that they practice gratitude and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ I try to make it fun for them as well. I always have snacks, and we make up games to become faster and better at what we do. It’s very rewarding to work with young people.”

Now, as Taylor focuses on growing her new business, she remains ambitious and confident about her future with Papa Murphy’s.

“I love this brand, and I believe in the product,” she says. “The corporate Support Center team has such a strong vision for the future, and I love how many women are in positions of leadership. The support they provide is second to none. My friends and family are thrilled for me, and I want to make them proud by making this business a success. I think that my future with this brand is really bright, and I look forward to growing my business and strengthening the bond with my guests and my community.”

Bring A Take and Bake Pizza Franchise to Your Community

Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise opportunity is a low-cost investment opportunity offering high growth potential. Join this dynamic brand as we expand our footprint across the United States. Initial investment costs range from $286,919 to $524,205, depending on numerous factors, including geographic areas, condition of the premises, and construction costs. We have grown to more than 1,250 locations thanks to a business model built for entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference in their community, bringing families together, and most of all – pizza.