VANCOUVER Wash. Clarice Turner, president and chief operating officer of Papa Murphy’s International, resigned this week after two years with the take-and-bake pizza chain, officials confirmed Thursday.
Earlier this week, the company said its chief marketing officer, Ann Stone, also resigned on Monday after one year with the company. Officials said both left to pursue other opportunities.
Barr said he ran the company without a chief operating officer from 2005 to 2007, when Turner was hired. Rather than replace Turner or Stone, Barr said he would take on some of Turner’s responsibilities and evaluate internal candidates that might possible move up the ladder.
Changes this week include the promotion of Kevin King, previously Papa Murphy’s senior vice president of development, who was named senior vice president of operations, and will take on some of Turner’s responsibilities.
In addition, Steve Figliola, formerly vice president of business development, has been named vice president of development, taking on some of King’s role.
Turner, a veteran of the Taco Bell chain, joined Papa Murphy’s in April 2007. She previously served as headquarters operations director for Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Louisville, Ky.-based Yum! Brands Inc.
The 1,100-unit Papa Murphy's, which is almost entirely franchised, has been defying odds through the current economic downturn as cash-strapped consumers turn to dine-at-home options. While many chains have reported negative sales trends, Papa Murphy's said earlier this year that 2008 systemwide sales rose 17 percent, which reflected 102 new stores and a same-store sales increase of 8.5 percent.
Barr said same-store sales have continued to be positive into the first quarter of fiscal 2009, but the company is seeing sales soften somewhat as consumers cut back on spending. “We’re just not seeing our regular customers return quite as often,” said Barr.
This year the chain will likely add another 105 locations, Barr said, down from the 115 locations previously planned for the year.
Boston-based private-equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC owns a controlling stake in the Vancouver, Wash.-based Papa Murphy’s. The private-equity firm invested in the pizza chain five years ago.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].