Food

Papa Murphy's closing 50 stores as pizza chains keep shrinking

Facing a headwind of challenges in a competitive industry, Papa Murphy's leaves the door open for even more closures if necessary. ©Image Credit: Facebook / Papa Murphy's

It's getting harder and harder to find your favorite pizza joint as more stores across the country permanently close. Papa Murphy's has announced that it will close up to 50 underperforming locations.

Closures will happen over the next six to nine months

It's going to be a busy six to nine months for MTY Group, which owns Papa Murphy's and other restaurants. During the second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call, CEO Eric Lefebvre announced the closures.

“We’ve been slowly but gradually disposing of some stores where it makes sense for us,” said Lefebvre. “It’s not fire sale, but we’re also in the process where we can reduce the corporate store portfolio.”

In total, MTY Group will be closing 68 underperforming corporate-owned restaurants, and up to 50 of them will be Papa Murphy's locations.

MTY Group operates over 80 restaurant brands across the U.S., Canada, and international markets. Other brands include Cold Stone Creamery, Wetzel's Pretzels, and more.

The pizza chain industry is facing several challenges

The challenges facing Papa Murphy's underperforming locations aren't unique. Pizza chains in general have been downsizing across the country as brands look to re-focus their efforts on strong performing locations.

Owners blame higher operating costs, stiff competition, and a change in consumer spending. What may have seemed like a blip in the radar has now become the new normal in the industry.

Nothing new for Papa Murphy's

While the store closures are certainly going to make some people feel a certain way, these aren't anything new. The pizza chain has been on a multi-year downsizing quest as it struggles to compete.

The company shuttered locations in 2023, 2024, 2025, and now again in 2026. It has also left the door open to additional closures if necessary.

Hit up Papa Murphy's while you can

This is your chance to hit up Papa Murphy's while you can, before the next round of closures begins.

Source: TheStreet

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