Multi-Unit Papa Murphy’s Franchise Gears Up for Sixth Store Opening in Sioux Falls

Tom Henderson’s journey into franchising started when Papa Murphy’s, the largest take 'n' bake pizza brand in the United States, opened a new shop in his neighborhood. Deciding he had to try it for himself, Henderson was blown away — not only by the pizza, but also by the long lines of happy customers around the block. A few days later, a serendipitous meeting with a member of the Papa Murphy’s team started Henderson down his entrepreneur path. With a background in the mattress industry and a love for customer service sparked by a college internship at Walt Disney World, he transitioned into the world of pizza. 

Since opening his first Papa Murphy’s store in 1998, Henderson has grown his franchise to six locations in the Sioux Falls area, with a new store opening in November 2024. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Henderson to learn more about his 20-year history with Papa Murphy’s, his plans for the future and more. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Tom Henderson: Before Papa Murphy’s, I was in the mattress world, working in Denver. I always knew I wanted to do something on my own. It’s kind of a funny story — a Papa Murphy’s opened in my neighborhood, and I got one of their big 16-inch pizzas. It was one of the best I’d ever had, and there was a line out the door. That caught my attention. A few days later, I met a guy who was part of the expansion team for Papa Murphy’s. That’s how it all started — I worked in his store on weekends to see if the business was the right fit for me.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Henderson: I’d been around businesses enough to know that I wanted a system to follow. Franchising offers that structure, and it’s important to have that when you’re starting out.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Henderson: Papa Murphy’s is a lot simpler than other restaurants because we don’t have big ovens and we don’t deliver. Everything is done in the store fresh — we make the dough daily, buy fresh vegetables and shred our own cheese. That commitment to quality really appealed to me, and I knew the brand stood behind it.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business?

Henderson: I opened my first store in 1998, and the next year I opened two more in Sioux Falls. In 2016, I opened two more, and despite the challenges of COVID in 2020, I kicked growth into gear again by 2022. Now we’re getting ready to open another store soon. The thing I love most about this franchise is working with customers every day. I did an internship at Walt Disney World in college, which sparked my love of customer service, and I enjoy the excitement that comes with running my own business.

1851: What are your plans for growth?

Henderson: We plan to keep growing. Sioux Falls is really expanding, and we’re adapting by opening locations with pick-up windows to meet customer demand.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Henderson: One of the reasons Papa Murphy’s is growing right now is because COVID changed the world. Our online orders jumped from 7% to over 40%, and our speed of service has improved dramatically. It’s been a game-changer for us.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Henderson: If you’re looking for a franchise, I’d recommend one with a national presence — that way, you have the backing of national advertising. We went a long time before we could afford TV ads, and smaller franchises without that reach can leave you on your own. Having that support is key.

For more information on franchising with Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza, visit: https://papamurphysfranchise.com/.

ABOUT PAPA MURPHY'S

Papa Murphy's International LLC ("Papa Murphy's") is a franchisor and operator of the largest Take 'n' Bake pizza brand in the United States, with over 1,135 franchised and corporate-owned locations across the U.S — plus locations in Canada and the UAE. It’s no surprise that their story is a little unconventional. After all, Papa Murphy’s brought an entirely new approach to the pizza industry. But their unique idea is a simple one: enrich life and community through craveable food. They focus on using quality ingredients, prepared fresh daily, to offer guests everyday meals to take ‘n’ bake at home with ease. In addition to take ‘n’ bake pizzas, Papa Murphy's offers a selection of salads, sides, desserts, and kid’s options. Learn more and order online at papamurphys.com.