If you’re considering investing in a pizza franchise, two names you might be evaluating are Antioch Pizza Shop and Papa Murphy’s. Each offers a compelling model, but they’re very different in format, cost, flexibility, and long-term growth potential. In this post, we’ll compare both brands side by side – costs, support, revenue, market fit – to help you decide which may align best with your goals.

What are the Brands?

Antioch Pizza Shop is a regional brand founded in 1977 in Illinois. For decades it operated as a single restaurant, then in 2016 began franchising. Their appeal lies in combining the charm and community focus of a hometown pizzeria with business systems that support consistency, quality, and growth. 

They offer a menu of pizza, fresh salads, pastas, sandwiches, etc., using hand-kneaded dough, quality cheeses, fresh produce, and their secret sauce. They also aim to be deeply embedded in their communities through fundraising, local events, etc. 

Papa Murphy’s is a much larger, more established name; it operates in the “Take ’N’ Bake” category of the pizza industry. Founded via a merger in the mid-1990s, today it has over 1,000 units in the U.S., Canada, and other locations. Its model is distinct: customers take home pizzas baked at home rather than dine in or pick up fully baked pizzas. 

Format & Operational Model

When comparing franchise models, Antioch Pizza Shop delivers far greater flexibility and customer appeal than Papa Murphy’s.

Antioch Pizza Shop gives franchisees the ability to operate in a format that fits their goals and market. Owners can choose from a full-service dine-in restaurant, a takeout and delivery-focused location, an express format with a smaller footprint, or even a mobile food truck. This variety allows entrepreneurs to scale strategically, starting lean and growing over time,  while appealing to different types of consumers, from families dining out to busy professionals ordering on the go.

The model also puts owners at the center of their communities. Antioch restaurants become local gathering places, hosting fundraisers, supporting schools, and serving as neighborhood staples. That kind of brand affinity is hard to replicate with national chains.

Papa Murphy’s, by contrast, is locked into the “Take ’N’ Bake” model, where customers pick up raw pizzas to cook at home. While this reduces equipment needs, it limits the experience and convenience for customers. 

Today’s pizza consumers increasingly expect either dine-in or fully prepared delivery options. Papa Murphy’s stores also miss out on additional revenue streams like dine-in beverages, catering, and community events.

In short: Antioch offers more flexibility and broader consumer reach, while Papa Murphy’s restricts franchisees to a niche model that may not resonate in all markets.

Support, Training & Brand Value

Both brands provide training, but Antioch Pizza Shop puts owners on a path to operate efficiently and build loyal customer bases quickly.

• Franchisees receive end-to-end support: site selection, restaurant design, vendor connections, menu training, and marketing guidance.
• Because formats like express shops and food trucks require smaller teams, owners spend less time dealing with staffing headaches and more time focusing on profitability.
• The Antioch culture emphasizes community connection and consistent quality, which helps build loyalty even in competitive markets.

Papa Murphy’s does offer established systems and national recognition, but its brand value is tied tightly to the Take ’N’ Bake concept. This makes marketing less flexible and positions the business as more transactional, a pizza picked up cold rather than a restaurant experience customers can engage with.

Bottom line: Antioch’s support helps you build a local brand people root for, while Papa Murphy’s locks you into a concept with less opportunity to connect meaningfully with customers.

Revenue Potential & Profitability

Here the numbers speak for themselves: 

• Antioch Pizza Shop: Average revenues are estimated at a little over $1 million + per store (based on 6 dine-in restaurants and one take out restaurant). With less marketing fees and expenditure requirements, franchisees keep more of what they earn while tapping into multiple revenue streams (dine-in, delivery, catering, and even food truck events). Potential for higher ticket averages from full meals, drinks, and sides further boost margins.
• Papa Murphy’s: Average unit volume in 2024 was $688,133 per store — substantially lower than Antioch’s figures. Because products are unbaked, check sizes are smaller, margins are tighter, and there are fewer upselling opportunities.

Antioch Pizza not only has a higher revenue average, but it also gives owners more levers to pull for profit growth.

Market Fit & Strategic Considerations

Antioch Pizza Shop adapts to markets of all sizes and demographics.

• Suburbs and small towns: Antioch’s smaller express or food truck models allow entry into communities that can’t support a big chain presence.
• Urban centers: Delivery and takeout formats make Antioch competitive with national chains in high-traffic areas.
• Community settings: Full-service locations thrive as local gathering spots, giving Antioch a unique role in the market.

Papa Murphy’s, on the other hand, is most effective in suburban retail strips where the Take ’N’ Bake concept is already understood. In areas where consumers expect fast delivery or dine-in convenience, the model struggles to compete.

In other words, Antioch’s flexibility allows it to fit more markets, while Papa Murphy’s is limited to a narrower niche.

Which Franchise Is Best for Whom?

Antioch Pizza Shop is the stronger choice for entrepreneurs who:

• Want higher revenue potential and multi-stream income (dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, mobile).
• Value a community-focused business that becomes a local favorite.
• Want flexibility in choosing a format that matches their budget and growth goals.

Papa Murphy’s may appeal to entrepreneurs who:

• Prefer a very narrow, simplified model.
• Want to lean on legacy name recognition rather than build a community brand.
• Are comfortable with a lower revenue potential and a limited customer base.

So, Antioch Pizza Shop or Papa Murphy’s?

When comparing Antioch Pizza Shop vs Papa Murphy’s, the difference is clear: Antioch offers the opportunity for higher revenue opportunities, stronger community engagement, and far more flexibility in format and market fit. Papa Murphy’s relies on a Take ’N’ Bake model that limits growth and misses out on today’s consumer preferences for dine-in and delivery convenience.

For entrepreneurs looking to build a scalable, profitable, and community-rooted business, Antioch Pizza Shop stands out as the smarter investment.