Papa Murphy’s operates a take-and-bake pizza business: the store prepares the food, and customers bake their pizzas at home. Evaluating this franchise requires looking beyond the format to the opening budget, food preparation, staffing, training and daily management obligations.
The take-and-bake operating model
Papa Murphy’s International LLC’s March 27, 2026 FDD, amended July 17, 2026, describes stores offering take-and-bake pizza, salads, desserts and related products. Item 1 describes daily dough preparation, cheese grating and vegetable preparation. Customers can choose approved pizza combinations and other menu options.
The disclosed store model does not have pizza ovens, venting hoods or dining areas and does not require delivery drivers or wait staff. This does not remove the work of managing food preparation, employees, inventory, customer service and food safety. Item 16 requires compliance with the franchisor’s approved menu, recipes and specifications.
Initial investment and franchise fee
Item 7 estimates $450,330–$693,450 to open a store. The estimate is for the Kitchen Delite format and includes leasehold improvements, an opening equipment and supply package, initial marketing, training-related expenses and three months of additional funds. Space condition, geography and optional upgrades affect the estimate.
The first-store franchise fee is $25,000; the subsequent-store fee is $15,000. The published investment range includes the lower subsequent-store fee at its low end, so a first-time buyer should not assume the lowest total uses the first-store fee. Review the complete Item 7 table and notes for your project rather than treating the range as a fixed quote.
The official franchise FAQ lists $125,000 in liquid capital and $350,000 in net worth for consideration. These retained qualification figures are separate from the total opening investment. Confirm current applicant requirements and any financing directly; qualification does not guarantee loan approval or sufficient working capital.
Training before opening
Item 11 describes Operations In-Store Training of up to 25 days or 250 hours at a designated training store. Enterprise Solution Training is completed within that in-store period. The Foundations Class is virtual and covers business topics such as marketing, human resources, operations, guest experience and technology.
The initial franchise fee includes these programs for up to two people who signed the franchise agreement. Additional franchisees or non-owner attendees are charged $750 each. Travel, accommodations, meals, wages and other attendance expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility. At least one agreement signer must complete the training program; completion is a contractual requirement.
Owner and manager involvement
Item 15 requires the owner or approved operations personnel to oversee and manage day-to-day store operations, except where the franchisor agrees otherwise in writing. An owner of multiple stores must actively participate in each store’s management and operation.
Item 11 also requires each store to be managed by a trained owner or Certified Manager. Consider who will recruit and supervise staff, manage busy periods, handle customer concerns and maintain accurate operating records. The format should not be assumed to provide passive ownership.
Marketing, technology and continuing support
Item 11 describes continuing assistance with training, marketing, sales and the Operations Manual. Marketing programs operate under franchisor controls; contributions do not guarantee that a particular store receives advertising benefits proportional to its payments.
The training curriculum includes point-of-sale use, inventory, purchasing, scheduling and financial controls. Item 7 notes that approved technology may involve purchase or subscription arrangements and additional implementation or recurring charges. Obtain the applicable package and fee schedule before budgeting for technology.
Assess the market and the proposed location
Item 1 identifies competition from pizza chains, other restaurants, grocery stores and other meal options. Compare the proposed site, local awareness, staffing availability, lease obligations and customer demand. The brand’s operating resources do not establish a particular store’s profitability.
The July amendment also describes planned closures of most company-owned stores as part of a shift toward franchised operations. That dated disclosure is a reason to review the current outlet information and speak with operators; it should not be converted into an unsupported claim about today’s total store count.
Continue your franchise research
Read the Papa Murphy’s franchise profile, request the documents applicable to your proposed transaction and discuss the budget with qualified advisers. Ask current and former owners about staffing, opening expenses, working capital and the support they received.
Source: Papa Murphy’s International LLC FDD, issued March 27, 2026 and amended July 17, 2026; Items 1, 5, 7, 11, 15 and 16. This review covers the cited operating and investment topics, not a projection of sales or earnings.