Papa Murphy’s, the take ‘n’ bake pizza giant, has been serving up customizable pies since 1981. With a menu brimming with options, from classic combinations to innovative creations, it’s a valid question: What pizza truly reigns supreme as the best seller? While specific sales figures are closely guarded, we can dissect the popular choices, analyze customer reviews, and examine regional preferences to paint a clear picture of Papa Murphy’s most beloved pizza.
The All-Time Favorite: Cowboy Pizza
Undoubtedly, the Cowboy pizza holds a prominent position in the Papa Murphy’s popularity contest. It’s a hearty, flavorful option that appeals to a wide range of tastes. This pizza is a symphony of savory ingredients, making it a reliable and satisfying choice for families and groups alike.
What Makes the Cowboy So Popular?
The Cowboy’s appeal lies in its well-balanced combination of toppings. It typically includes creamy white garlic sauce as the base, followed by generous portions of pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and black olives. This blend of meatiness, earthiness, and slight saltiness creates a complex flavor profile that keeps customers coming back for more. The white garlic sauce sets it apart from traditional red-sauce pizzas, offering a unique and flavorful twist.
Another factor contributing to its popularity is its perceived value. The Cowboy pizza is packed with toppings, making it a filling and satisfying meal. Customers often feel they are getting a substantial pizza for their money.
Regional Variations and Availability
While the core recipe of the Cowboy pizza remains consistent across most Papa Murphy’s locations, slight variations may exist depending on regional preferences or ingredient availability. For example, some regions might offer a spicier version with the addition of jalapenos or a different type of sausage. It’s always a good idea to check the online menu or ask in-store about any local specialties. Regardless of minor variations, the essence of the Cowboy – the combination of white garlic sauce, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and olives – remains the same.
Contenders for the Crown: Other Popular Pizzas
While the Cowboy often takes center stage, Papa Murphy’s offers a diverse menu with several other pizzas vying for the title of best seller. These contenders cater to different tastes and preferences, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
The Papa’s Favorite
This pizza lives up to its name, often ranking high in customer satisfaction surveys and sales reports. Papa’s Favorite boasts a classic combination of pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers on a traditional red sauce base. It’s essentially a supreme pizza, offering a wide array of flavors and textures in every bite.
The Papa’s Favorite appeals to those who appreciate a traditional pizza experience with a generous helping of toppings. Its balanced flavor profile and familiar ingredients make it a safe and reliable choice for even the pickiest eaters. The red sauce base provides a comforting and classic foundation, while the combination of meats and vegetables adds complexity and depth.
The Gourmet Delite Line
Papa Murphy’s Gourmet Delite line offers lighter, healthier options without sacrificing flavor. These pizzas feature thinner crusts and a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. Several pizzas in this line are incredibly popular.
Among the Gourmet Delite options, the Chicken Bacon Artichoke is a standout. It features grilled chicken, crispy bacon, artichoke hearts, spinach, and a creamy garlic sauce. The combination of savory chicken and bacon with the slightly tangy artichoke and fresh spinach creates a sophisticated and flavorful pizza. The creamy garlic sauce adds richness and depth, complementing the other ingredients perfectly. This pizza appeals to those seeking a more refined and health-conscious pizza experience.
Another popular choice from the Gourmet Delite line is the Mediterranean. This pizza showcases the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, with ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, feta cheese, spinach, and a balsamic glaze. The combination of salty feta, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and earthy spinach creates a complex and satisfying flavor profile. The balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness and acidity, balancing the other flavors perfectly. This pizza is a great option for those who enjoy bold and unique flavors.
Creating Your Own Pizza Masterpiece
One of Papa Murphy’s greatest strengths is the ability to customize your pizza exactly to your liking. Customers can choose their crust, sauce, toppings, and even the amount of each ingredient. This level of customization allows customers to create their own “best selling” pizza tailored to their individual tastes and preferences.
Many customers enjoy experimenting with different combinations of toppings, creating unique and personalized pizzas that become their go-to orders. Some popular combinations include adding pineapple to a classic pepperoni pizza, creating a spicy pizza with jalapenos and red pepper flakes, or building a vegetarian pizza with a variety of fresh vegetables.
Analyzing Customer Preferences and Trends
Understanding why certain pizzas are more popular than others requires analyzing customer preferences and trends. Several factors influence pizza choices, including taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and current food trends.
Taste Preferences and Demographic Factors
Taste preferences play a significant role in pizza selection. Some customers prefer classic flavors like pepperoni and sausage, while others are more adventurous and enjoy trying new and unique combinations. Demographic factors such as age, gender, and location can also influence pizza choices. For example, younger customers may be more likely to try trendy or spicy pizzas, while older customers may prefer traditional options.
Regional differences also play a role. Certain pizzas may be more popular in specific regions due to local ingredient availability or cultural preferences. For example, a pizza with seafood toppings might be more popular in coastal areas.
Dietary Restrictions and Health Consciousness
Dietary restrictions and health consciousness are increasingly influencing pizza choices. Many customers are looking for gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan options. Papa Murphy’s offers several options to cater to these needs, including gluten-free crusts and a variety of vegetarian toppings.
The Gourmet Delite line is particularly popular among health-conscious customers. These pizzas feature thinner crusts, lighter sauces, and a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The Impact of Promotions and Limited-Time Offers
Promotions and limited-time offers can also significantly impact pizza sales. Papa Murphy’s frequently offers discounts on specific pizzas or combinations, which can drive sales and introduce customers to new options. Limited-time offers, such as seasonal pizzas or pizzas featuring unique ingredients, can also generate excitement and attract new customers. These promotions can temporarily boost the popularity of certain pizzas, influencing overall sales trends.
Baking the Perfect Papa Murphy’s Pizza: Tips and Tricks
The beauty of Papa Murphy’s lies in the take ‘n’ bake concept. You get a fresh, customized pizza that you bake at home, ensuring it’s perfectly cooked to your liking. But achieving pizza perfection requires a few tips and tricks.
Oven Temperature and Baking Time
The recommended oven temperature for baking a Papa Murphy’s pizza is typically 425 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it’s always a good idea to check the instructions on the pizza packaging, as baking times and temperatures may vary slightly depending on the type of pizza and crust.
Baking time usually ranges from 12 to 18 minutes, but it’s crucial to monitor the pizza closely to prevent overcooking or undercooking. The pizza is done when the crust is golden brown, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the toppings are cooked through.
Crust Perfection: Achieving the Right Crispness
Achieving the perfect crust crispness is essential for a satisfying pizza experience. For a crispier crust, try placing the pizza directly on the oven rack instead of using a baking sheet. This allows the heat to circulate more evenly around the crust, resulting in a crispier bottom.
Another tip is to preheat the baking stone or pizza stone in the oven before placing the pizza on it. The hot stone will help to crisp up the crust quickly.
Topping Placement and Even Cooking
Ensure even cooking by distributing the toppings evenly across the pizza. Avoid overcrowding certain areas, as this can prevent the toppings from cooking properly. For toppings that tend to burn easily, such as garlic or onions, consider placing them under the cheese to protect them from the direct heat.
Rotating the pizza halfway through the baking time can also help to ensure even cooking. This will prevent one side of the pizza from browning more quickly than the other.
The Future of Papa Murphy’s and Pizza Innovation
Papa Murphy’s continues to innovate and evolve, introducing new pizzas, crusts, and toppings to meet the changing tastes and preferences of its customers. The company is also expanding its online ordering and delivery options, making it even easier for customers to enjoy their favorite pizzas.
The future of Papa Murphy’s looks bright, with a continued focus on customization, quality ingredients, and customer satisfaction. As pizza trends continue to evolve, Papa Murphy’s will undoubtedly adapt and innovate to remain a leader in the take ‘n’ bake pizza industry.
The company’s commitment to fresh ingredients and customizable options will continue to resonate with customers who value quality and choice. By staying ahead of the curve and embracing new technologies, Papa Murphy’s is well-positioned to maintain its position as a top pizza destination for years to come.
In conclusion, while pinpointing the single “best selling” pizza with absolute certainty is difficult, the Cowboy pizza consistently ranks high in popularity, thanks to its flavorful combination of white garlic sauce, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and olives. Other contenders, such as Papa’s Favorite and the Gourmet Delite line, also enjoy widespread popularity, catering to diverse taste preferences. Ultimately, the beauty of Papa Murphy’s lies in its customization options, allowing customers to create their own perfect pizza masterpiece. As Papa Murphy’s continues to innovate and evolve, the pizza landscape will undoubtedly continue to change, but the company’s commitment to quality and customization will remain a cornerstone of its success.
What makes Papa Murphy’s pizza unique compared to other pizza chains?
Papa Murphy’s operates on a “take ‘n’ bake” model, distinguishing it significantly from traditional pizza delivery or dine-in restaurants. Customers order their pizzas, which are then assembled with fresh ingredients in front of them, but remain uncooked. This allows customers to take the pizza home and bake it themselves, ensuring a freshly baked pizza experience tailored to their preferred cooking time and temperature.
This model offers several advantages. It eliminates the need for Papa Murphy’s to invest in ovens at each location and reduces labor costs associated with cooking and delivery. Furthermore, customers have greater control over the final product, guaranteeing a hot, fresh pizza experience precisely when they want it.
Which pizza is consistently a top seller at Papa Murphy’s?
The Cowboy pizza is frequently cited as one of Papa Murphy’s most popular and best-selling pizzas. This pizza typically features a robust combination of ingredients including pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, and black olives, offering a savory and satisfying flavor profile that appeals to a broad range of tastes.
Its widespread popularity stems from its balanced blend of classic pizza toppings. The combination of meats, vegetables, and Papa Murphy’s signature crust and sauce creates a familiar yet appealing taste experience. This makes it a reliable and consistently favored choice for many Papa Murphy’s customers.
How does Papa Murphy’s ensure the freshness of their pizza ingredients?
Papa Murphy’s prioritizes freshness by preparing many of their ingredients daily in-store. They chop vegetables, grate cheese, and prepare their dough fresh each day. This commitment to daily preparation is a key component of their quality assurance strategy.
This dedication to fresh ingredients is reflected in the taste and quality of their pizzas. By avoiding pre-packaged or frozen ingredients, Papa Murphy’s aims to deliver a superior pizza experience that emphasizes the natural flavors and textures of its components, setting it apart from competitors who may rely on pre-processed alternatives.
Can customers customize their pizzas at Papa Murphy’s?
Customization is a core element of the Papa Murphy’s experience. Customers have the freedom to build their own pizzas from scratch, selecting from a variety of crust types, sauces, cheeses, meats, and vegetables. This allows for a personalized pizza tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs.
Beyond building pizzas from the ground up, customers can also modify existing specialty pizzas. They can add or remove toppings, adjust the amount of sauce or cheese, and even request half-and-half pizzas with different toppings on each side, providing unparalleled flexibility and control over their pizza order.
What crust options are generally available at Papa Murphy’s?
Papa Murphy’s typically offers several crust options to cater to different preferences. Their Original crust is a classic choice, providing a balance between crispy and chewy. Additionally, they often feature Thin crust for those who prefer a lighter, crispier base.
Beyond the standard options, Papa Murphy’s frequently introduces limited-time or seasonal crusts to add variety. These may include crusts with flavored toppings or alternative dough formulations. Availability may vary by location and time of year, so checking with your local store is always recommended.
How does the “take ‘n’ bake” model impact the cost of Papa Murphy’s pizzas?
The “take ‘n’ bake” model allows Papa Murphy’s to potentially offer pizzas at competitive prices compared to traditional pizza delivery chains. By eliminating the costs associated with baking and delivering the pizzas, they can potentially pass those savings on to the customer. The lack of ovens and delivery staff reduces overhead, contributing to potentially lower prices.
However, the actual cost can vary depending on location, size of the pizza, and the toppings selected. Special promotions and coupons can also significantly affect the final price. It is advisable to check your local Papa Murphy’s menu or website for current pricing and deals.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options available at Papa Murphy’s?
While Papa Murphy’s does not explicitly advertise a certified vegan pizza, they offer numerous vegetarian options and the flexibility to create custom pizzas that are suitable for vegetarian diets. Customers can select from a wide array of vegetable toppings and request that no meat products be added.
For vegan customers, careful consideration is required. It’s essential to confirm the ingredients of the dough and sauce, as some may contain animal-derived products. Furthermore, Papa Murphy’s does not typically offer a vegan cheese alternative, so a custom pizza with vegetable toppings and no cheese would be the typical vegan option.