Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana will permanently close its Plantation restaurant in Florida on April 4, 2026. This marks the end of the brand’s first location in Florida. The pizzeria thanked guests and staff for their support over the years.
Frank Pepe to Close Its First Florida Location
Frank Pepe announced on social media that it will close its restaurant at 341 N University Dr, Plantation, Florida. After five years, the restaurant said it chose not to renew its lease.
In the social media post, the restaurant said, “We’re incredibly grateful to our Plantation team and many loyal customers who have supported us over the years.”
Although the brand is closing one location, it will continue to operate at the Delray Beach restaurant. A new West Palm Beach restaurant is also expected to open soon, signaling potential future growth in South Florida.
The restaurant is known for its indoor and outdoor seating, relaxed atmosphere, and happy hour specials. Diners frequently visited for popular dishes like White Clam Pizza, Tomato Pie, Caesar Salad, Pepe Salad, Meatball Ricotta Pizza, and more.
Longtime customers in Plantation shared their disappointment in the post’s comment section. One diner wrote, “No! Born and raised in CT, and currently live in Plantation, FL. Pepe’s is my go-to pizza to feel at home.” Others commented, “Florida needs you,” and “We look forward to having you in WPB!!”
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About Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is a family-owned restaurant chain. It is known for popularizing New Haven-style “apizza,” a coal-fired pizza tradition that is nearly a century old. Founded in 1925 by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe in the Wooster Street neighborhood of New Haven, Connecticut, the restaurant started by selling homemade tomato pies before opening the pizzeria.
It gradually gained widespread acclaim for its unique style of pizza and commitment to traditional preparation methods. The restaurant’s original menu consisted of simple yet high-quality ingredients.
It initially offered its signature tomato pie with grated pecorino cheese, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. The crust is known for being crisp yet slightly charred outside and chewy inside. Its dough is still prepared with Frank Pepe’s original recipe.
The leadership of the company was eventually passed on to the founder’s daughters, and later on to the next generation of the Pepe family.
Today, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana operates locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and other states. The menu still includes its signature coal-fired pizzas, the Original Tomato Pie, salads, desserts, and drinks such as Foxon Park sodas.
The company still maintains its traditional methods of cooking and family ownership, even after a century since its founding.
