Veteran-Led and Family-Driven: Life-Long Papa Murphy’s Fans Bring the Franchise to Fayetteville, Georgia

Lonnie and Ahnya Southworth have always been fans of the Papa Murphy’s brand. But when they moved to Georgia from Oregon, they quickly realized that there was a major gap in their community for Papa Murphy’s beloved take-and-bake pizzas.

Now, Lonnie, a Navy veteran with experience in corporate America, and Ahnya, a former medical assistant, are preparing to open their first Papa Murphy’s franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia, this winter at 202 Banks Crossing. As a veteran-owned and minority-owned business, and as the parents of six children and three foster children themselves, the Southworths are excited to introduce their favorite take-and-bake concept to other local families, offering a convenient and affordable option for those with busy schedules.

1851 spoke with Lonnie to learn more about their background, their franchise story and their plans for the future.

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

Lonnie Southworth: I work for Nestlé Purina, and we’re originally from Oregon, though we lived in Denver for 10 years before moving to Georgia. We’ve been here for two years and got tired of the food options because we were used to Papa Murphy’s. There weren’t any take-and-bake pizza places here, so I called to see if they were opening any franchises and started down that road. My wife, Ahnya, was working as a medical assistant, and I grew up on the Papa Murphy’s brand — we’ve always had it where we lived.

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?

Lonnie: We’ve been looking for the right fit for the past four years or so, but for us, it was about finding something we truly believed in.

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

Lonnie: Everything is fresh and made to order, and you know exactly what you’re getting. It’s the same amount of toppings every time, and it’s great for families with different schedules. You can keep it in the fridge and have it ready the next night.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Lonnie: Our goal is to open additional stores down the road. We think it’s going to be really beneficial, especially for families on a budget. A brand like Papa Murphy’s can save you a lot of money when you’re hosting a party or get-together. You can get everything for half the price and cook it whenever you want.

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

Lonnie: I’m a Navy veteran, and my wife is a minority — she’s Black. We have six kids together, two of whom are also in the military, along with three foster kids. The kids are really excited to work in the store.

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

Lonnie: Make sure you’re 100% behind the product you’re going to be selling. For us, it was an easy choice because it’s something we’ve grown up on and loved forever. It’s one of those family-saving things — you can feed as many kids as I have for 25 bucks.

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.