A California-based Domino’s pizza franchisee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to reports.
North Country Pizza, Inc, which operates one store in Oceanside, filed for bankruptcy on March 11, 2026. According to a voluntary petition, the corporation estimates its liabilities range from $1,000,001 to $10 million.
The court filing also revealed that Domino’s itself was among the top 20 creditors with the largest debts owed by North Country Pizza, Inc.
The total debt owed by the franchisee to those 20 creditors exceeded $3.3 million, according to the filing.
A Chapter 11 filing is often referred to as a “reorganization” bankruptcy.
According to the U.S. Courts website, debtors usually remain able to operate their business and have the powers and duties of a trustee. In some cases, debtors can even borrow new money.
Meanwhile, a reorganization plan is proposed, which the company’s creditors will usually vote on. At that point, the plan may be confirmed by the court.
Oceanside, where North Country Pizza, Inc’s store is located, is 80 miles south of Los Angeles. The coastal city is a popular tourist spot known for its surfing culture and the historic Oceanside Municipal Pier.
Domino’s is the largest pizza chain in the world. In a recent company press release, the pizza giant’s CEO celebrated the performance of Domino’s U.S. branch in 2025.
“These strong results flowed through to increased franchisee profits, showcasing our ability to drive store level profitability while providing incredible value for our customers,” Russell Weiner, Domino’s CEO, wrote.
“As we look ahead to 2026, it is our expectation that we will meaningfully increase our market share within a U.S. QSR pizza category that continues to grow,” he added.
North Country Pizza, Inc’s bankruptcy filing comes after one of Domino’s major rivals announced plans to axe hundreds of stores.
Pizza Hut’s owner, Yum! Brands, Inc, confirmed in a February earnings call that 250 “underperforming” stores will close in the first half of 2026, according to CNN.
Although a list of specific locations was not released, the company announced in a November press release that it had launched a “formal review of strategic options” for Pizza Hut.
Chris Turner, the CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc, said in the press release that it is confident in Pizza Hut’s “long-term future.”
“The Pizza Hut team has been working hard to address business and category challenges; however, Pizza Hut’s performance indicates the need to take additional action to help the brand realize its full value, which may be better executed outside of Yum! Brands,” he added.
The Independent has contacted Domino’s and North Country Pizza, Inc’s, for comment.
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