After nearly five decades in business, Gina Maria’s Pizza, a longtime Minnesota restaurant chain, has shut down after its parent company, Northern Brands Inc. filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Gina Maria’s Pizza will close all locations
The move marks the end of a business that has become a familiar fixture in several suburban communities in the Twin Cities.
According to filings made in March 2026, the company reported debts of $2.9 million against assets of just $64,000. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the business goes through liquidation, leaving little chance of recovery.
The closings themselves happened earlier, in October 2025, when all four remaining locations — in Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Edina and Plymouth — closed without notice. A brief message posted on the company’s website said the decision “didn’t come easily,” but no further explanation was provided at the time. Customers who tried to contact the stores were met with automated messages confirming the permanent closure.
Founded in 1975 as a small restaurant in Minnetonka, Gina Maria’s Pizza has gradually built a loyal customer base over the years. The brand has become known for its consistent offerings and neighborhood presence, attracting repeat visitors across generations. For many residents, the restaurant was associated with routine occasions such as family dinners and weekend takeaways.
The sudden shutdown drew strong reactions from customers, many of whom shared their experiences online.
One longtime patron wrote, “I’m so upset, I live a block from the EP Store, been going there for 25 years, love the pepperoni and green olives, the best pizza in Richfield and they opened an Edina store, I wonder why they closed, very upset.” Another said: “Closed. Sad. Easily the BEST pizza anywhere. Nothing comes close in Naples, Florida!”
Industry analysts point to broader challenges affecting mid-sized restaurant chains. Figures from recent industry reports indicate that most pizza brands have seen sales decline in recent years. Changing consumer preferences, rising costs and increased competition from large chains and supermarket alternatives have put pressure on operators.
Revenue flows were mainly affected by the drop in demand for delivery and the shift to more affordable options from home. These structural changes have made it difficult for regional brands to maintain profitability.
Despite the closures, a new development has appeared on one of the former sites. A restaurant called Pizzas Gina, operated by Ulises Godinez, has opened in the Eden Prairie location. The new location is said to use the original brand’s recipes, offering some continuity to former customers.
While the new venture does not replace the original chain, it represents a partial continuation of its legacy. But for many residents, the closing of Gina Maria’s Pizza signals the end of a longtime local institution shaped by decades of familiarity and routine.
