Take 'n' bake pizza leader's impressive 2009 new store and sales growth place chain on annual industry census report

VANCOUVER, Wash., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Papa Murphy's International announced today that in 2009 it outpaced all pizza-industry competition in new store growth and U.S. systemwide sales, based on year-over-year percentage change. According to the 37th Annual Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) Top 100 census report, Papa Murphy's growth in U.S. franchise units from 2008 to 2009 landed the take 'n' bake pizza chain among the top 10 restaurant franchises, which also include Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Jack in the Box and Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar. Papa Murphy's is the only pizza chain to secure a spot in the top 10.

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"Papa Murphy's is an attractive option because we have one of the lowest investment levels of any pizza chain," said John Barr, Papa Murphy's Chairman and CEO. "That's often a deciding factor, given the current difficulty for new business owners to secure financing. We signed over 130 franchise agreements last year, including some in major new markets in the Southeast."

Additionally, the NRN report indicates that Papa Murphy's saw the greatest growth in U.S. systemwide sales within the pizza category in 2009. "The key to sustaining our momentum this past year is that we've continued to remain an affordable meal solution and we haven't compromised the quality of our product," added Barr.

Papa Murphy's success is reflected in its system's franchisee satisfaction. Recent results from a survey conducted by Franchise Business Review indicate that Papa Murphy's has some of the most satisfied franchise owners among nearly 100 major brands. The company scored as one of the top food franchises for 2009 based on overall franchise owner satisfaction.

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 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 36 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 has been voted "Best Pizza Chain in America" for seven consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions "Consumers' Choice in Chains" survey 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.

SOURCE Papa Murphy's International

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