Best pizza chain in America challenges kids through pizza and prizes

Last update: 8:21 a.m. EDT July 11, 2008

SEATTLE, July 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Papa Murphy’s Seattle franchisees have partnered with Borders(R) bookstores, 103.7 The Mountain FM, and ParentMap Magazine in Seattle to promote children’s literacy with the “BOOK Your Summer” reading program. This marks the take ‘n’ bake pizza chains’ second year partnering with Borders. Throughout July, the three partners are encouraging children in the Puget Sound Region ages 16 and younger to read by offering free pizzas and a chance to win prizes.
“Children’s literacy programs are essential if we are to raise the bar for the future of Puget Sound,” says Jerry McKenna, market manager at Entercom Communications Seattle and 103.7 The Mountain. “Entercom Communications strive to support programming and promotions that benefit the community and children’s literacy programs are a great way to help in the Puget Sound Region.”
All ten Western Washington Borders locations have “BOOK Your Summer” displays and pamphlets, including suggested reading lists and entry forms. Once kids have completed the reading challenge they will automatically receive a free medium-size one-topping pizza from Papa Murphy’s and are entered to win prizes, which include a complete set of signed Brian Jacques children’s books, a year of free pizza from Papa Murphy’s, and Pacific Science Center family passes. See participating Seattle Papa Murphy’s and Borders locations for rules and regulations.
“It is incredible the way the children’s literacy program has blossomed,” said Ralph Etter, president of Papa Murphy’s Seattle franchisee co-op.
“Borders is pleased to partner once again in this program to promote children’s literacy. It’s exciting to use prizes to encourage children to expand their literacy skills and partnering with Entercom and Papa Murphy’s is a great way to reach children in the Puget Sound area,” says Don Shaw, district marketing manager at Borders.
About Papa Murphy’s
Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country, operating over 1,000 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 30 states and Canada. The company has been voted “Best Pizza Chain in America” for five consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions “Consumers’ Choice in Chains” survey and was recently named Pizza Today’s “2008 Chain of the Year.” For more information, visit http://www.papamurphys.com.
About Borders, Inc.
Borders is a subsidiary of Borders Group, Inc., a $4.1 billion retailer of books, music, movies and stationery items. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Borders Group, through its subsidiaries, operates more than 1,200 Borders and Waldenbooks stores and employs more than 32,000 people worldwide. For information go to http://www.bordersgroupinc.com.
About Entercom
Entercom is one of the nation’s largest radio broadcasters with operations in San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Sacramento, Portland, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Austin, Norfolk, Buffalo, New Orleans, Providence, Memphis, Greensboro, Rochester, Greenville/Spartanburg, Madison, Wichita, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Springfield and Gainesville/Ocala.