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Papa Murphy's Appoints Clarice Turner as President and COO
VANCOUVER, Wash. - April 17, 2007 - Papa Murphy's International, pioneer of the world's largest and fastest-growing take-n-bake pizza chain, today announced the hiring of Clarice Turner to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective May 14. Papa Murphy's currently operates close to 1,000 locations in 30 states and Canada.
Clarice joins Papa Murphy's following a highly-respected 16-year stint with Yum! Brands, where she progressed rapidly through a variety of executive management positions with its subsidiary Taco Bell Corporation. Most recently Clarice spearheaded national initiatives to address improving the chain's systems, processes and new products as well as contributing in the areas of margin improvement analysis and brand communications. She began her career with Yum! as a fast-track market manager in Seattle accountable for Taco Bell locations in Washington and Sacramento, California and was rapidly promoted to lead all aspects of Taco Bell's emerging business as an expatriate in Canada. Upon her return to the U.S., Clarice was appointed to lead operations for eight western states. In addition to her work with the Taco Bell brand she was also instrumental in establishing standards for successful operation of multi-branded Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and Long John Silvers locations. Her previous experience while earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees included international sales and marketing and a stint as a financial controller.
"We are excited about Clarice joining our senior management team, bringing to Papa Murphy's her strong background and broad experience in the QSR industry," said John Barr, Papa Murphy's CEO. "She has proven to be a respected leader and one that leads by example thus earning the confidence and trust of her co-workers and Yum! Brands' franchisee community."
Clarice attended Fudan University in Shanghai, China and the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, earning her undergraduate degree in Geology from San Francisco State University. She later also earned an M.B.A. from San Francisco State University. Clarice currently serves as Board President of Washington State University's Advisory Board for the School of Hospitality where she's been a member of the Board since 1994.
About Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy's is the sixth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer of the Take 'N' Bake pizza concept. Papa Murphy's operates nearly 1,000 locations in 30 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store. Papa Murphy's pizzas are baked at home in customers' ovens for a piping hot, delicious meal whenever they want it. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of Take 'N' Bake items, including cheesy bread, lasagna, chocolate chip cookie dough and freshly-made salads. Papa Murphy's has been voted "Best Pizza Chain in America" for four consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions "Consumers' Choice in Chains" survey and was recently named Pizza Today's "2006 Chain of the Year." For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com.
