A clever farewell from a longtime Papa Murphy’s employee is getting attention after a surprising message appeared on the store’s marquee sign.

Andrew Wambach, assistant manager at the Papa Murphy’s located at 64 N. Second E. St., first heard about the change when a relative of his wife asked if the sign was true. The outdoor marquee stated that the store was permanently closed.

“Our best guess is that it got changed on Saturday night after the store was closed,” said Wambach.

According to the company’s official website, Papa Murphy’s is the largest franchisor of take-and-bake pizza in the U.S. and prides itself on unparalleled customer service, quality and innovation. In this case, the message wasn't a corporate strategy but just an employee’s humorous way to sign off on his last shift.

Wambach, who has worked at the store for five years, said the unnamed employee had asked to close the store that night, his final shift after working on and off at the Rexburg Papa Murphy's location for four years. 

By the next morning, the marquee had been updated to declare the store’s fictional demise.

“He’s a really good kid,” Wambach said. “I haven’t felt the need to say anything to him since he’s already gone.”

Photos of the sign made their way onto local Facebook groups, where commenters speculated whether the message was part of a marketing stunt or the work of a disgruntled former employee.

Wambach said it was neither; it was just a harmless joke.

The prank even caught the attention of the regional manager based in Pocatello, who reached out to confirm that nothing had been stolen or damaged.

No consequences were issued to the former employee, and Wambach described the goodbye gesture as lighthearted and funny.

Now, with all the attention the prank has attracted online, Wambach is hoping customers stop by to take advantage of the store’s buy one, get one free promotion going on this week.

“Hopefully it brings more people in,” Wambach said with a laugh.