The Brand History Behind Papa Murphy’s Pizza Franchises
A History Built on Fresh Dough and Bigger Ideas
Every great franchise story starts somewhere small, but ours actually starts with two. Papa Aldo’s Pizza opened its doors in Hillsboro, Oregon, back in 1981, followed a few years later by Murphy’s Pizza in Petaluma, California, two chains that would eventually become one of the country’s most recognized pizza franchises. Both built their businesses around the same simple idea: handing guests a fresh, uncooked pizza to bake at home rather than serving it hot out of a restaurant oven.
In 1995, the two companies came together through a merger, combining their strengths under one new name: Papa Murphy’s. What emerged was stronger than either chain had been on its own, backed by a shared belief that fresh ingredients and a simpler way of doing pizza would win guests over. That combination set the stage for decades of franchise growth, laying the groundwork for the national recognition Papa Murphy’s would go on to earn one community at a time.
How Papa Murphy’s Became One of the Most Recognized Pizza Franchises in the Country
Papa Murphy’s grew steadily across the United States, then carried the Take ‘N’ Bake concept across the globe, growing into more than a thousand locations along the way. That kind of recognition doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when guests across different communities and markets keep coming back for the same reason: a fresh, customizable pizza they get to finish at home with the people they love.
Joining MTY Food Group added another layer of strength to that story. With decades of experience supporting dozens of restaurant brands, MTY brought additional resources and infrastructure to help Papa Murphy’s keep building on the foundation earned with loyal guests nationwide. From two local pizzerias to a name recognized across the nation, few pizza franchises can point to a growth story quite like ours.
Inside the Famous Take ‘N’ Bake Model
That history matters because it shaped a business model that still stands out today. Papa Murphy’s locations were built around the Take ‘N’ Bake model without a need for commercial ovens, cutting out a major piece of equipment most pizza restaurants can’t operate without. There’s no dining room to furnish, staff, or keep clean either, since the whole experience is built around crafting the pizzas for guests to pick up and bake themselves at home.
That same approach carries over to delivery. Without a team of drivers to manage, daily operations stay a lot simpler than what most pizza restaurants deal with. Fewer moving pieces also means a leaner team is all it takes to run things smoothly, which is exactly the kind of streamlined business model Papa Murphy’s has built its reputation on since day one.
Ready to Start Your Next Venture?
Papa Murphy’s history is still being written, and there’s room for more entrepreneurs to become part of it. Joining an established brand with this kind of track record means stepping into support systems, in-depth training, and national recognition already tested and proven across communities nationwide.
If you’re ready to explore what that next chapter could look like for you, take a look at our research pages for information on available markets, franchise costs, and support systems, then fill out our inquiry form to start the conversation. Let’s talk about what it takes to bring Papa Murphy’s to your community and grow with one of the top pizza franchises available today.