Fresh Pizza Served With A Smile, Guaranteed
Tate of the Town: Papa Murphy’s Ridgefield
By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer | Photos by Lisa Kuhlman
Not that this should come as much of a surprise, but according to Taste Atlas’s list of the 100 Most Popular Foods in the World, Pizza is number 1. So it’s official: everyone loves pizza! The only real argument regarding its reign, it would seem, comes down to optimal methods of consumption. Some enjoy the full “parlor” experience. Some prefer regular restaurants or bars. Some like to have it delivered, and some, believe it or not, would rather have it frozen. But all of those methods have inherent drawbacks. There is only one method, and one brand, which truly provides zero disadvantages, and that is Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake.
With Papa Murphy’s, the preeminent purveyor of Take ‘N’ Bake pizza, you can experience all of the benefits — fresh dough made from scratch every day, freshly cut vegetables, 100% mozzarella cheese shredded from blocks (not poured from a bag), consumed at will, piping hot and delicious — with none of the detriments! It all began back in 1994 with the merger of two highly successful Take ‘N’ Bake chains: Papa Aldo’s, founded right here in Hillsboro, Oregon in 1981, and Murphy’s, founded in Petaluma, California in 1984. Together they formed Papa Murphy’s and have since gone on to win numerous accolades and become the largest Take ‘N’ Bake pizza brand in the country. Their core mission was simple: take the hard work out of mealtime so you can focus on more important things like family and friends. It’s easy to understand why this has proven to be such a winning formula.
And just because Papa Murphy’s is a nationwide chain, don’t be fooled into thinking they’ve forgotten their humble roots. In fact, 95% of their locations are actually owned by franchisees; smaller “mom and pop” teams who live in and care passionately for their local communities. Here in Ridgefield, their new location, which just opened last year, is owned by brothers Jim and Tom Lovelace. This dynamic duo began their journey with Papa Murphy’s back in 1990, buying into the franchise before the merger! Their first two locations (in Vancouver) required a lot of time and effort. It was a struggle initially, but after learning the ropes and perfecting their operational plan, they expanded the business and now jointly own 44 locations across the Northwest! Independently, they own several more across the country.
Jim and Tom are both family men and their stores reflect that. Not only do several of their own family members work with them, but the positive work environment they have fostered is inclusive and welcoming for employees and customers alike. Many team members have been with them for 20+ years! Their passion for the brand is second only to their dedication to their employees and their local communities. Both Papa Murphy’s as an organization, and Jim and Tom as individuals, have worked tirelessly to support other local businesses, charities (like Our Giving Table and ShareHouse), schools, churches and clubs at every available opportunity.
So, next time you have a craving for pizza, consider Papa Murphy’s. The new Ridgefield location is quite simply the best! Their food is always fresh, served with a smile, and consumed exactly how you like it — piping hot in the comfort of your own home!
Papa Murphy’s Ridgefield is located at 4306 S. Settler Dr. #100 in Ridgefield. To order, visit the store, give them a call at (360) 727-3243 or visit papamurphys.com.