{"id":23614,"date":"2025-10-07T10:03:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T16:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiochpizzashop.com\/franchise\/?p=23614"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:27:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T19:27:34","slug":"papa-murphys-pizza-franchise-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiochpizzashop.com\/franchise\/papa-murphys-pizza-franchise-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"Antioch Pizza Shop vs Papa Murphy’s\u00ae Pizza"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re considering investing in a pizza franchise, two names you might be evaluating are Antioch Pizza Shop and Papa Murphy\u2019s. Each offers a compelling model, but they\u2019re very different in format, cost, flexibility, and long-term growth potential. In this post, we\u2019ll compare both brands side by side – costs, support, revenue, market fit – to help you decide which may align best with your goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the Brands?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Antioch Pizza Shop<\/b> 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Papa Murphy\u2019s<\/b> is a much larger, more established name; it operates in the \u201cTake \u2019N\u2019 Bake\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Format & Operational Model<\/span><\/h2>\n

When comparing franchise models, Antioch Pizza Shop delivers far greater flexibility and customer appeal than Papa Murphy\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antioch Pizza Shop<\/b> 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,\u00a0 while appealing to different types of consumers, from families dining out to busy professionals ordering on the go.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Papa Murphy\u2019s<\/b>, by contrast, is locked into the \u201cTake \u2019N\u2019 Bake\u201d model, where customers pick up raw pizzas to cook at home. While this reduces equipment needs, it limits the experience and convenience for customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s pizza consumers increasingly expect either dine-in or fully prepared delivery options. Papa Murphy\u2019s stores also miss out on additional revenue streams like dine-in beverages, catering, and community events.<\/span><\/p>\n

In short:<\/b> Antioch offers more flexibility and broader consumer reach, while Papa Murphy\u2019s restricts franchisees to a niche model that may not resonate in all markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Support, Training & Brand Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both brands provide training, but Antioch Pizza Shop puts owners on a path to operate efficiently and build loyal customer bases quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n