Papa Murphy’s and Pinkberry Put Dinner and Dessert Under One Roof

One restaurant address may soon offer two very different reasons to stop: a pizza to bake at home and frozen yogurt to eat now. Papa Murphy’s announced three franchise agreements for a combined Papa Murphy’s and Pinkberry format on October 7. Restaurant Dive’s October 9 report examined the development as part of parent company MTY’s broader co-branding approach.

The announced locations are in Sunriver, Oregon; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and West Haven, Utah. The company expects the Sunriver restaurant to open in early November. Santa Fe will add Pinkberry to an existing Papa Murphy’s, while the Utah opening is planned for summer 2027. These are development plans, not three newly opened restaurants.

The company’s stated rationale is to share space and operational resources while creating more occasions to visit. It also argues that the brands can complement each other seasonally. Those are business expectations; the announcement does not establish that the combined locations will achieve a particular return.

Two clocks at one counter

The interesting part for diners is the difference in timing. Take-and-bake pizza solves a meal that happens later. Frozen yogurt offers something immediately. A parent collecting dinner could add a treat, while a dessert customer might notice an option for another visit.

That pairing also creates practical questions. A customer waiting for a prepared pizza order and a customer choosing dessert toppings may need different amounts of attention. Shared square footage does not automatically produce a shared workflow. Clear ordering signs, pickup points and staff responsibilities will matter as much as the combination of logos.

Our view is that the format deserves to be judged on whether it makes each purchase easier. More choice can be welcome, but a crowded counter or an unclear queue would undermine the convenience the concept is selling. Operators considering a second brand should also distinguish additional revenue from additional profit after equipment, training and service costs.

For now, the openings will provide the evidence. The announced deal shows interest in combining occasions within one footprint; it does not yet prove how guests will use it. Read more about changing restaurant formats in our industry collection.

Sources: Papa Murphy’s announcement; Restaurant Dive.