Papa Gino’s Suddenly Shutters Dozens of Restaurants Across New England - Eater Boston

"Decades-old Massachusetts-based pizza chain Papa Gino’s abruptly closed dozens of its restaurants across New England over the weekend. The chain went from around 150 locations to 97, with workers across locations terminated from employment with no notice. Reports from around New England indicate employees showed up for work to signs posted that read “this location is now closed” and “thank you for your patronage.” One employee in Lowell showed up for his second day of work to find the Papa Gino’s at the Middlesex Plaza Shopping Center closed, while another employee in Mansfield was reportedly told to apply to work at other locations. Papa Gino’s has been around since 1961, when it first opened in East Boston as Piece O’ Pizza. The name change came in 1968, with steady expansion following. Today, the company also includes D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches. While the company hasn’t had the same name recognition as some larger pizza chains and has remained confined to a fairly small geographic area, it’s been a staple in plenty of school cafeterias for years, and many New England kids grew up on it." - Dana Hatic