Papa Murphy's Ends 2011 with Double-Digit Sales Growth

VANCOUVER, Wash., Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Papa Murphy's International today announced its total U.S. systemwide sales grew to $702 million in 2011, up over 10% from 2010. The Zagat-ranked "#1 Rated Pizza Chain" in the U.S. ended the year with 1,300 locations. Same-store-sales were up more than 5%.

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In an internal email from Papa Murphy's CEO Ken Calwell to all employees and franchise owners, Calwell praised the chain for its efforts serving others and making a difference in people's lives. "Thanks to your hard work, every day we provide a fresh, high quality great tasting dinner that Mom or Dad can serve fresh out of their oven and feel good about serving their family at the end of a long day. Families are busier than ever before, and they look forward to coming together at the end of the day around a fresh baked Papa Murphy's pizza to relax and reconnect with each other. We have an amazing brand and product and so much opportunity for growth in 2012!"

Additional highlights of 2011 include:

• High ratings. Two separate surveys indicated that consumers love Papa Murphy's over other leading pizza chains. For the second consecutive year Papa Murphy's was the "#1 Rated Pizza Chain" on Zagat's Annual Fast Food Survey. The chain also captured the highest Overall score in the first-ever Consumer Picks survey, produced by Nation's Restaurant News and research firm WD Partners.
• Expanded operations. Franchising agreements signed last year equate to over 265 future stores and 30 new franchise entity groups. Papa Murphy's ended 2011 with over 500 franchise owners in 37 states and two Canadian provinces.
• Strong satisfaction. Franchise owners again rewarded Papa Murphy's with strong satisfaction ratings in a survey conducted by Franchise Business Review.
• Larger team. Papa Murphy's added more than 800 employees throughout the chain as a result of new store openings. The company now surpasses 19,000 total team members.

About Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy's is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and a revolutionary of the take 'n' bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy's operates over 1,300 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 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 other take 'n' bake items such as Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy's was voted "#1 Rated Pizza Chain" by participants in Zagat Survey's 2010 & 2011 Fast Food Surveys and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today's Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com or go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.

Contact:
Lindsi Taylor
[email protected]
360-449-4017

SOURCE Papa Murphy's International