1851

When Ed Holmes first broke into the franchising industry, he did it as a franchisor. He spent years working for the corporate arms of major brands like Wendy&#8217;s and Bruegger&#8217;s Bagels before ultimately finding the perfect fit with Papa Murphy&#8217;s&#8212;the <a href="http://papamurphysfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-franchisor-to-franchisee-how-a-papa-murphys-regional-vp-became-a-successful-multi-unit-owner-5475" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nation&#8217;s leading take'n'bake pizza chain</a>. For nearly 15 years, Holmes supported the Papa Murphy&#8217;s brand development in Colorado. He was able to witness first-hand how its unique concept caught on in different communities across the state, creating opportunities for its business owners to grow. That&#8217;s why he ultimately decided to transition from his corporate Papa Murphy&#8217;s role to become one of the brand&#8217;s most successful franchisees. &#8220;When I first approached Papa Murphy&#8217;s, it was to become a local business owner. But my background in corporate franchise development made it easy for me to take on a regional vice president role instead,&#8221; said Holmes. &#8220;As more and more Papa Murphy&#8217;s units entered the Colorado market, I decided it was time to bring the brand to a new area, this time as a franchisee. And with Papa Murphy&#8217;s continued support, I&#8217;ve been able to make my dreams of business ownership a reality.&#8221; Holmes moved to Phoenix, Arizona to expand Papa Murphy&#8217;s in an uncultivated market. To say he hit the ground running would be an understatement&#8212;through a combination of purchasing existing locations and building units in new communities, Holmes opened 18 franchise units for business in just six years. He&#8217;s not planning on slowing down his growth efforts any time soon&#8212;because of that rapid growth and continued success, Holmes is planning another big expansion. Within the next three to five years, he&#8217;ll open another 15 Papa Murphy&#8217;s locations in the Phoenix area. &#8220;We&#8217;ve done incredibly well in Phoenix, and the door is wide open for us to fully develop the market. The area is primed for expansion&#8212;it&#8217;s filled with groups of previously untapped consumers,&#8221; said Holmes. &#8220;Papa Murphy&#8217;s brings a level of quality to the table that other pizza concepts are missing, and the community here is definitely catching on.&#8221; Papa Murphy&#8217;s <a href="http://papamurphys.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-franchisor-to-franchisee-how-a-papa-murphys-regional-vp-became-a-successful-multi-unit-owner-5475" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">unique take on the booming pizza industry</a> is impossible to beat. Instead of serving up pizzas that get cold before they ever make it out of backseat, the brand makes custom pies with the freshest ingredients that customers pop in their home oven for 15 minutes. The concept ensures that every pizza is served piping hot at the most convenient time. The brand&#8217;s advantages don&#8217;t stop there&#8212;Papa Murphy&#8217;s also offers a flexible and affordable business model for its franchisees. Initial startup costs initially range from $279,455 to $492,861. &#8220;Our main goal as a franchisor is to help partners like Ed succeed. By providing one of the simplest models in the industry and encouraging multi-unit development, Papa Murphy&#8217;s makes it easy for our owners to grow,&#8221; said Jayson Tipp, chief development officer and senior vice president of technology for Papa Murphy&#8217;s. &#8220;We&#8217;re excited to keep expanding the brand in Phoenix and other communities across the country.&#8221;

1851 Franchise

After working as one of the brand’s regional vice presidents for nearly 15 years, Ed Holmes now owns multiple Papa Murphy’s locations.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

From Franchisor to Franchisee: How a Papa Murphy’s Regional VP Became a Successful Multi-Unit Owner

from-franchisor-to-franchisee-how-a-papa-murphys-regional-vp-became-a-successful-multi-unit-owner

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers Buzzes into Franchising: Three New Franchisees Signed in First 30 Days

busy-bee-jumpers-buzzes-into-franchising-three-new-franchisees-signed-in-first-30-days

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum 

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Reports Strong Midyear Momentum with Revenue Gains, Record Membership, and Strategic Expansion

fitness-premier-mid-year-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

image of a woodhouse spa franchise buildings exterior 

Woodhouse Spas Continues Strong Momentum With Double-Digit Growth in Q2

woodhouse-spas-q2-2025-growth-expansion

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-Mountain-State-Devo-June-2025

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Eyes Expansion in Mountain States

laynes-chicken-fingers-franchise-mountain-states-expansion

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

How Franchise Brands Can Prepare for the Rise of AI-Driven Advertising

how-franchise-brands-can-prepare-for-the-rise-of-ai-driven-advertising

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Franchisor to Franchisee: How a Papa Murphy’s Regional VP Became a Successful Multi-Unit Owner

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS