Hundreds of underperforming pizza chain locations have closed over the last two years as restaurant operators and franchisees restructure their businesses to improve performance and revenue.
Pizza Hut‘s parent Yum Brands said it would close 250 underperforming restaurants as part of its Hut Forward plan in the first half of 2026. Papa John’s announced in its fourth-quarter earnings call that it would close 200 locations by the end of 2026.
Financial distress is even affecting the family favorite pizza dining chain and entertainment center Chuck E. Cheese, as its parent, CEC Entertainment Concepts LP, has stopped renewing certain leases of locations that no longer make economic sense to operate.
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Domino’s Pizza franchisee closes 13 stores
And now, Domino’s Pizza chain franchisee Anthony Satterwhite abruptly closed 13 of his restaurants in Northern Ohio, amid reports of financial difficulties involving the franchisee.
The franchisee, which operated as Mile High Pizza Company LLC, did not give a reason for closing the restaurants or issue a statement.
The parent company, Domino’s Pizza Inc., confirmed that the franchisee closed 13 restaurants in Northern Ohio, according to Fast Company. Only 11 locations were identified by Fast Company, and Domino’s did not provide a list of all 13 locations.
Domino’s said that it was working on reopening the restaurant locations.
Chain’s parent seeks to reopen locations
“This is an isolated franchisee matter and is not reflective of the overall strength or performance of the Domino’s brand,” a Domino’s spokesperson said in a statement. “We are actively working to transition these stores to new ownership so that customers in the affected communities can enjoy the quality products and service they expect from Domino’s.”
Satterwhite owned at least 25 franchises by the end of 2025 according to Domino’s franchise disclosure document, released in April 2026.
Satterwhite became a Domino’s franchisee when he purchased four franchises in the Mansfield, Ohio, area in 2017, according to the Mansfield News Journal.
Other operators close restaurants
Domino’s has recent history of its franchisees closing locations.
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, the largest franchisee of the giant pizza chain, in 2025 closed 205 low-performing locations. Also, the global pizza chain’s Oceanside, Calif.-based franchisee North County Pizza Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 11, 2025, to reorganize its business.
Domino’s Inc. has over 22,300 locations in over 90 countries worldwide, according to its website.
Popular arcade pizza chain Chuck E. Cheese has closed six restaurant locations so far in 2026, allowing their leases to expire.
CEC Entertainment Concepts has closed locations in Toledo, Ohio; Omaha, Neb.; Topeka, Kan.; Olathe, Kan.; Abilene, Texas; and Salisbury, Md.
“As leases expire, markets evolve, and consumer preferences shift, we adjust our real estate strategy accordingly,” CEC Entertainment spokesperson Allison Chouinard told The Kansas City Star.
“This is how we manage a national footprint across 45 states and should not be interpreted as an indication of financial or operational distress,” CEC Senior Director Alejandra Brady told WBOC.
Mile High Domino’s closed locations
- 4037 S. Main St., Akron, Ohio
- 627 Claremont Ave., Ashland, Ohio
- 1423 Wooster Road W., Barberton, Ohio
- 2077 Locust St., Canal Fulton, Ohio
- 420 N. Seltzer St., Crestline, Ohio
- 144 S. Liberty St., Galion, Ohio
- 28 S. Main St., Mt. Gilead, Ohio
- 1036 Ashland Road, Mansfield, Ohio
- 625 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, Ohio
- 359 Trimble Road, Mansfield, Ohio
- 117 Main St., Wadsworth, Ohio
- Source: Fast Company
Related: Diner franchisee closes locations ahead of Chapter 7 bankruptcy
