Paramount is officially turning the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ obsession with pizza into a real-world experience. The studio announced plans to open at least three TMNT-themed pizzerias across the Americas, with locations confirmed for Santa Monica, California, Monterrey, Mexico, and São Paulo, Brazil, all expected to launch later in 2026.
Because if Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo have taught us anything in four decades of crime-fighting, it’s that ninjutsu and extra cheese go together perfectly.
The move comes as part of a massive franchise expansion under Skydance-owned Paramount, marking the most aggressive push for Turtle Power since the studio acquired the rights from co-creator Peter Laird back in 2009.
Josh Silverman, Paramount’s president of global products and experiences, framed the restaurants as part of evolving the brand’s reach across multiple categories, from consumer products to location-based entertainment, calling TMNT “full of action, humor, and heart” with relationships that have “resonated with generations of fans worldwide.”
The Santa Monica flagship and what to expect
The Santa Monica location will open at 144 3rd Street Promenade, developed by entrepreneur Andy Nguyen, who’s no stranger to themed dining concepts after successfully launching ventures like One Piece Cafe and Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe.
The project has reportedly been in development for years, aiming for a casual, family-friendly environment with themed decor and potential exclusive merchandise.
While Paramount hasn’t revealed specific opening dates, menus, or operating partners for any of the three locations, Nguyen’s track record suggests a New York-style pizza experience with a Turtle twist, bringing that iconic underground lair aesthetic to the West Coast.
The international locations in Monterrey and São Paulo position the Turtles as a truly global phenomenon, appealing not just to nostalgic millennials who grew up watching the original 1987 animated series, but to new generations introduced through 2023’s critically acclaimed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, which grossed over $180 million worldwide and reignited mainstream interest in the franchise.
Part of a bigger turtle takeover
The pizzerias are just one piece of Paramount’s coordinated strategy to dominate multiple fronts simultaneously. The studio is launching Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles, a 30-episode CG-animated series on YouTube targeting preschoolers with four-minute episodes exploring the brothers as ninjas-in-training.
On the publishing side, a full novelization of the bestselling adult-oriented graphic novel The Last Ronin drops in June from Abrams, while Scholastic releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splinter’s Dojo in September, a middle-grade illustrated novel that takes the Turtles to middle school.
Perhaps the most significant announcement is Mattel taking over as the global master toy license holder starting in 2027, replacing Playmates Toys after nearly four decades. Mattel will produce action figures, playsets, vehicles, and collectibles timed to support two major theatrical releases: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 on September 17, 2027, and a live-action/CG hybrid film on November 17, 2028.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as a self-published comic book in 1984, has generated billions in retail sales across comic books, television series, blockbuster films, video games, and consumer products.
After the success of Mutant Mayhem and renewed momentum under Skydance’s leadership, Paramount is clearly betting big that the heroes in a half shell are ready for another wave of global domination, now with actual pizza you can order.
For fans who’ve been craving a slice at the Turtles’ favorite hangout since childhood, the wait is almost over. Whether the restaurants will feature animatronics, interactive experiences, or just really good pizza remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: Cowabunga, dude, this is happening.
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