CA Pizza Chain Files For Bankruptcy

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — California-based customizable pizza chain Pieology Pizzeria filed for bankruptcy this week, according to reports.

In the Chapter 11 filing, Pieology’s parent company reported liabilities between $1 million and $10 million and assets of $100,000 to $500,000, Business Insider reported, adding the company is expected to keep operating during the bankruptcy process.

Pieology had over 200 locations before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Restaurant Business, but that number has dropped precipitously in recent years.

A 2022 news release from the company said the chain had 130 restaurants. As of Thursday, there were about 50 listed on its website, with most in California as well as at least one in Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam.

While dozens of California locations remain, some have closed in recent years, including two in Sacramento and one in Roseville, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

Former CEO Shawn Thompson appears to have left the company as of last month, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Pieology, which is based in Orange County, was founded by Carl Chang, professional tennis player Michael Chang’s brother, according to Restaurant Business, which reported the chain’s main competitors have included the similarly modeled MOD Pizza and Blaze Pizza.

NBA star Kevin Durant was once among Pieology's backers, Business Insider reported.

Pieology representatives did not respond to requests for comment from multiple news outlets.