Gina Maria’s Pizza Files for Chapter 7, Closing After Five Decades

Sudden Shutdown of a Twin Cities Favorite

In October 2025 the four remaining Gina Maria’s Pizza locations—Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Edina and Plymouth—were shuttered without warning. An automated phone message announced the permanent closure, and a brief notice on the now‑defunct website declared that the chain had “officially closed its doors.”

Chapter 7 Liquidation

On April 4 2026 the corporate entity behind the brand, Northern Brands, Inc., filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The filing marks the final chapter for a business that began as a 450‑square‑foot dine‑in restaurant in Minnetonka in 1975 and grew into a regional staple over 50 years.

Industry Pressures

The collapse of Gina Maria’s mirrors a broader slump among mid‑size pizza operators. Technomic data, cited by Nation’s Restaurant News, shows that 61 % of pizza chains reported declining sales in 2024, while the “big four” (Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Papa John’s) have largely weathered the downturn.

What Comes Next

Local entrepreneurs have already moved into former Gina Maria’s sites, repurposing kitchens and recipes under new brands, but the loss underscores the vulnerability of regional eateries in a market dominated by national chains.