The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have sold toys, comics, movies, video games, breakfast cereal, and practically every other product imaginable over the past four decades.
Yet somehow, despite the franchise's obsession with pizza, one thing had never existed until now: an official TMNT pizzeria. But that has finally changed.
The 1987 Ninja Turtles Return
Per The Hollywood Reporter, the first official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed pizzeria opened on June 20 along Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, marking a major new step in Paramount's efforts to expand the franchise beyond traditional entertainment.
The restaurant is the brainchild of restaurateur Andy Nguyen, who previously launched themed dining experiences inspired by brands such as Hello Kitty and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Speaking to the outlet, Nguyen explained that he had spent more than a decade pursuing the idea before finally securing Paramount's approval. “I finally got that green light,” he said.
Nguyen celebrated the launch with a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“New York pizza. LA energy. And we’ve been pouring everything into this. The first-ever official TMNT Pizzeria opens in Santa Monica on June 20th at 11AM — We’ve put our best into every slice detail of this experience. The first 100 supporters through the door get a special gift”
New York pizza. LA energy. And we’ve been pouring everything into this.
The first-ever official TMNT Pizzeria opens in Santa Monica on June 20th at 11AM — We’ve put our best into every slice detail of this experience. The first 100 supporters through the door get a special gift pic.twitter.com/xlnmLOEXmQ
— Andy Nguyen (@AndyTheNguyen) June 11, 2026
Related: Universal Studios GB Could Host TMNT Themed Area Modeled Off 1987 CartoonÂ
Rather than drawing inspiration from Mutant Mayhem or one of the franchise's more recent incarnations, the restaurant embraces the colorful world of the original 1987 animated series.
“I call it the ‘Millennial Turtles,'” Nguyen explained. “Those original cartoons, the way they were drawn, there's a sense of fun that just brings you happiness.”
The nostalgic approach appears to align perfectly with Paramount's new TMNT strategy. Josh Silverman, the company's president of global products and experiences, described the look of the classic cartoon as “a keystone piece of creative” for the franchise. He added: “There's a term we use: ‘new-stalgia.' It's new for kids but nostalgic for adults, often their parents.”
The Santa Monica location is only the beginning. Paramount is reportedly planning additional TMNT-themed pizzerias in Monterrey, Mexico, and São Paulo later this year.
For a franchise built around four pizza-loving turtles, it may have taken surprisingly long to happen—but TMNT has finally opened its own pizzeria.
Are you planning to visit? Let us know in the comments!
