VANCOUVER Wash. Steve Figliola has been named vice president of business development for the Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza chain, officials said Wednesday.
The appointment is an expansion of Vancouver, Wash.-based parent Papa Murphy International Inc.’s franchise sales department and Figliola will be charged with signing area developers in Canada and U.S. markets in the West.
Figliola previously was an operations director at Yum! Brands subsidiary Taco Bell Corp., where he has worked for 14 years.
Papa Murphy’s operates or franchises more than 1,100 locations in 31 states and Canada. In January, the chain announced five new area development agreements that are expected to result in 35 store openings during the next three years.
The 98-percent franchised chain opened 102 new stores in 2008 and reported a same-store-sales increase of 8.5 percent, despite trends to the contrary throughout the industry as consumers cut back on spending as a result of economic pressures. Officials say the brand has found a sweet spot with the bake-at-home option, which offers convenience and value to consumers who are looking to dine more often at home.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
