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PAPA MURPHY'S NAMES VICTORIA BLACKWELL AS GENERAL COUNSEL
Take 'N' Bake pizza pioneer opens five Canada locations with 11 more on the way
VANCOUVER, Wash. - March 6, 2007 -- Papa Murphy's International, pioneer of the world's largest and fastest-growing take-n-bake pizza chain, announced today that Victoria Blackwell has been named general counsel. Blackwell has been with Papa Murphy's as the company's corporate attorney since 2000.
Most recently, Blackwell was responsible for leading Papa Murphy's expansion into British Columbia where the company currently operates five stores and plans to open 11 more by year's end. Blackwell also oversees all legal aspects of franchisor/franchisee agreements, as Papa Murphy's currently maintains over 400 franchisees nationwide.
Blackwell has remained with the company for nearly seven years because of its enthusiastic franchisee community, strong corporate values and superior quality product. "I am proud to be part of a company whose products encourage family, friends and fun. We still get excited for pizza night at our house and it's been a pleasure to help bring that excitement into others' homes."
Prior to joining Papa Murphy's, Blackwell served as associate counsel of real estate for KinderCare Learning Centers. At KinderCare, Blackwell was responsible for negotiating and closing real estate transactions such as ground leases and space renovations. Before KinderCare Blackwell ran her own private practice for nearly two years.
Blackwell is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and received her law degree from Lewis and Clark University's Northwest School of Law in Portland, Ore.
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 29 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.
