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Papa Murphy's Names Fontanini® Supplier of the Year
Take 'n' bake pizza giant recognizes Chicago-based Italian meat manufacturer
VANCOUVER, Wash. - (September 16, 2008) -- Papa Murphy's International, America's largest take 'n' bake pizza chain, has named Fontanini Meats, a division of Capital Wholesale Meats, its 2008 Supplier of the Year. The family-owned manufacturer of Italian meat products and specialty items received the award based on the results of a Papa Murphy's annual franchisee survey of vendor performance. Over 400 franchise owners ranked Fontanini tops in terms of consistency of service and quality of product, among other desirable traits. Fontanini Meats supplies Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza locations with sausage used in many of the company's signature pizzas.
"We're happy to recognize Fontanini as our 2008 Supplier of the Year," said Clarice Turner, president at Papa Murphy's. "Fontanini's dedication to quality speaks for itself and aligns perfectly with Papa Murphy's mission."
"It has been a pleasure to be part of the Papa Murphy's team for nearly ten years now," said Gene and JoAnne Fontanini, brother and sister co-owners of Fontanini Meats. "We're very proud of our quality, value, dedication to the consumer and commitment to excellence. It's an honor to be recognized. "
Bob Graham, Papa Murphy's co-founder and creator of the company's signature recipes, commends Gene and JoAnne's faithful following of their parents' vision to produce only the best products using the finest ingredients. "In my 24 years with Papa Murphy's, I have never encountered a meat supplier that is as dedicated as Fontanini is to consistently producing the absolute highest quality products," said Graham.
About Fontanini Meats
Fontanini Meats, a division of Capital Wholesale Meats, is a prospering family-owned and operated manufacturer of Italian meat products and specialty items. The company began in 1960 from the basement of Oriano and Jennie Fontanini's home and has grown into a180,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Chicago, Illinois. Today the hardworking Fontanini team, which consists of over 250 employees, proudly produces the finest products in the meat industry, each leading its respective category. For more information, please visit www.fontanini.com.
About Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy's is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take 'n' bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy's operates over 1,000 franchised and corporate-owned 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. By baking Papa Murphy's pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take 'n' bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy's has been voted "Best Pizza Chain in America" for six consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions "Choice in Chains" consumer survey and was recently named Pizza Today's "2008 Chain of the Year." For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com.
