ACU Alums Lisa and Bob Herndon opened a Papa Murphy’s Pizza chain minutes from campus.

A new Papa Murphy’s Pizza has opened just blocks away from campus, allowing local residents to customize their own fresh, take-home pizza.

Alums Lisa (Layne) and Bob Herndon opened the doors to a new Papa Murphy’s Pizza located on EN 10th Street next to Arby’s. The Herndons also own a Papa Murphy’s Pizza on S. 14th and Barrow Street.

After living in Amarillo for 12 years, the Herndons returned to Abilene, bringing a new type of pizza experience with them.

“This is a product that we really liked and really believed in,” Bob Herndon said. “When we came back we realized Abilene did not have a Papa Murphy’s, so we researched it and decided to open one here.”

Lisa, who is also a sponsor of women’s social club Tri Kappa Gamma, said she knows what it is like for students whose food options usually include a trip to The Bean or drive through.

“Sometimes you want to have something out of your own oven,” Lisa said. “Papa Murphy’s is a take and bake, which means we prepare a pizza the way you want it, you go home, preheat your oven, pop it in there and you’ve got hot, fresh pizza whenever you want hot, fresh pizza.”

Lisa also said that she and her husband have high hopes for their new location and it has been an idea for some time.

“We’ve had a lot of good feedback with our other store, and for the last couple of years we’ve had people ask us, ‘When are y’all going to open up over here?” Lisa said. “We’re hoping that things go well of course, and we’re hoping to help provide another food option for people on this side of town.”

The process of opening their new store has been a long journey, but one the Herndons say is worthwhile.

“We’re entrepreneurs at heart,” Bob said. “There’s a lot of frustration and hard work that goes into this, but at the end of the day it’s what we like to do.”

Papa Murphy’s Pizza is open every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and can be reached by phone at 325-677-7272.