A first-of-its-kind, official TMNT-themed pizzeria is set to open June 20 in Santa Monica, with a soft-opening pause after June 14 before a formal launch featuring the four turtle brothers in person.
The first official TMNT-themed pizzeria won’t just serve pizza—it’s staging a full-on fan experience in Santa Monica, right down to the decor, merchandise, and staff uniforms.
The restaurant is scheduled to open on June 20 in Santa Monica, California, at 1444 Third Street on the Third Street Promenade. It’s being billed as the franchise’s first official pizzeria. and the launch is set to come with a grand-opening celebration at 11 a.m. that day, when the four turtle brothers—Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo—will appear in person.
The project is tied to Paramount’s push to expand the decades-old TMNT brand beyond movies, television, and toys. Entrepreneur Andy Nguyen, who helped develop the concept, announced the opening on social media.
The restaurant has been operating in a limited soft-opening phase, but it will pause operations after June 14 before reopening for its official launch, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Nguyen is no stranger to franchise-driven dining. His previous projects include the One Piece Cafe in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo and the Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe in Atlanta. He has also worked on concepts connected to “Hello Kitty”, “Naruto” and “Rick and Morty”.
Before the Santa Monica announcement, Nguyen teased the project in 2025, describing it as a “classic New York-style cheesy slice” with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles twist that had been years in the making, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported.
Inside the pizzeria, customers are set to find wall-to-wall TMNT-themed decor, including neon lighting and references to the franchise’s signature mutagenic ooze. The menu centers on classic pizza offerings.
There’s also a built-in retail angle for fans. Visitors will be able to purchase exclusive merchandise, including T-shirts, pins, keychains, and other collectibles. Staff members are expected to wear franchise-inspired uniforms, and a small bar is planned to serve alcohol on weekends.
The Santa Monica opening is part of a broader TMNT expansion that Paramount has announced globally. Alongside Santa Monica, additional TMNT-themed pizzerias are planned for Monterrey, Mexico, and São Paulo, Brazil.
Paramount’s expansion also includes a new preschool-focused animated YouTube series, a global licensing agreement with Mattel that begins in 2027, and upcoming films, including “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2”, scheduled for release on Aug. 13, 2027.
For now, the key dates are driving the anticipation: a limited soft-opening phase leading up to a pause after June 14, then a full official launch on June 20 with the turtle brothers set to appear at 11 a.m.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TMNT pizzeria Santa Monica Paramount Andy Nguyen franchise expansion Third Street Promenade pizza merchandise
So it’s like… pizza but also the turtles are there?? That sounds cool but also kinda chaotic lol
I don’t get it. They already have TMNT stuff everywhere, why does a pizzeria need a global brand push. Also June 14 pause? Like are they closing for renovations already
Wait Andy Nguyen is doing this like he made those Sonic and One Piece cafes? I thought that was all just a movie tie-in thing, but now it’s official official. If the alcohol is on weekends then I’m guessing the “mutagenic ooze” is just hot honey or something
Santa Monica opening June 20 at 1444 Third Street Promenade… cool address but I’m confused on the dates. Soft opening until June 14 then pause then reopen June 20 like that’s normal business? Also they say “turtle brothers appear in person” which I’m assuming is like paid actors in suits, not the real ones, right. I’ll probably still go though