A retired local teacher has swapped the classroom for a pizza kitchen, hoping to attract a new wave of customers to his recently acquired pizza shop.
Jesse Zepeda, a former educator from Sanger, is the new owner of the Papa Murphy’s franchise located at W. Shields and N. Brawley Avenues in Fresno. After 27 years of teaching in the communities of Mendota, Madera, and Fresno, Zepeda retired from education and took over the pizza business in December 2023.
Zepeda’s dedication to his new venture is clear. “We’re the only Papa Murphy’s on this side of the 99,” he says. “I’m here almost every single day.” However, like many small business owners, he faces significant challenges, including inflation, rising wages, and steep PG&E bills. Additionally, he has noted the lack of foot traffic in the area, making it even more difficult to draw in new customers.
To combat these challenges, Zepeda has been working hard to boost business. Over the past two months, he has distributed coupons at local apartment complexes and partnered with Save Mart to offer discounts on the back of their receipts. Despite other businesses raising prices or reducing menu offerings, Zepeda is focused on offering value, hoping to make a strong first impression that will bring customers back.
One of Zepeda’s recent efforts to engage the community included hosting a school fundraiser to support a middle school band program. He sees this as the first of many opportunities to connect with local schools and other organizations.
In a nod to his educational background, Zepeda also offers a 15% discount to all Central Unified staff, showing his continued support for the education community even as he embarks on this new chapter as a business owner.