Papa John’s in Lansing, Michigan, was founded in 1982. That means it’s two years older than Papa Johns, the international pizza franchise with over 3,000 locations in the U.S.
But the Lansing pizzeria, which has been the subject of much curiosity since the other Papa Johns became a household name, is reportedly closing for good. The sad news was first reported by various local media outlets, including WLNS.
The shop—which at one point claimed four different locations across the Lansing metro area, according to 97.5 FM—was a staple amongst locals, including students at Michigan State University. The “original” Papa John’s, as it referred to itself, closed with little fanfare. In fact, its closure began as a rumor based on a message displayed when customers attempted to place an online order. The rumor was confirmed by WLNS when it attempted to leave a voicemail seeking comment.
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“We are sorry to announce the closure of Papa John’s Pizza,” a statement on the pizzeria’s online ordering platform reads. “Thanks to all of our loyal customers and employees for 40 great years! Papa.”
According to 97.5 FM, the pizza franchise of the same name lobbed “threats” and “[threw] around corporate weight” to try to force Papa John’s of Lansing, Michigan, to change its name. The threats apparently went nowhere—and there’s no proof any legal action ever took place—likely because the original Papa John’s was two years older than its more famous counterpart. According to several internet sleuths, when Papa Johns, the franchise, attempted to open shops in the Lansing area, it supposedly opened them under the alternate name “Papiano’s,” perhaps to avoid infringing on the local pizzeria’s claim to the name.
A member of Lansing Foodies, a Facebook group highlighting the city’s restaurant scene, delightedly referred to the pizzeria as a “rogue Papa John’s” in a November 2024 post that raved about the bacon cheeseburger pizza with a garlic Parmesan crust.
It should also be noted that Papa Johns, the chain, dropped the apostrophe from its name in November 2021 as part of a rebrand after the ouster of founder John Schnatter in 2018.
Papa John’s Lansing apparently didn’t have its own presence on Facebook or Instagram, and its website was rather barebones. But the pizzeria’s fans took to social media to attest to its quality pies and mourn its passing.
“For all of my days I will remember their specific maillard [reaction] marbling of the mozzarella, especially on plain cheese,” one fan wrote in a “eulogy” to the pizzeria. “The way their pepperoni would buckle and collect pools of oil. The way 2-3 units of pepperoni would be stacked on top of each other (i.e. not properly separated) would create heterogeneity on each slice, with some bites having wildly different texture and increased meatiness (probably driven by lack of portion concern—love that). More than anything else, it was just its own thing. It wasn’t as decadent as DeLuca’s (RIP), or monstrously topped as Art’s, but it was reliable, and wonderful, and represented my hometown with reflected authenticity. Thanks for everything, Papa John’s. I’ll remember you forever.”
Though the now-shuttered independent pizzeria’s website does not provide information about its origins, its owner seemed acutely aware of the confusion its name might cause. The “about” section on the website reads, “We are an independent, locally owned and operated company. We are not a franchise. We use only the best products. Our dough, sauce and cheese are prepared on site and not trucked in like most chains. We strive to give you a high quality product at the best possible price. TRY US AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.”
Sadly, Lansingites will no longer get to try the original Papa John’s and see for themselves.
