Mindy Kaplan, the vice president of communications for the company, confirmed that Tuesday was the last day of service for both locations.
Lou Malnati's got its start in Chicago and since making its debut in 1971, has expanded to include over 80 locations around the country with restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Arizona. It serves wings, salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes along with its famous butter crust pizzas.
These two closures come around four months after another Valley location served its last customers. Lou Malnati's on Val Vista Drive and Pecos Road in Gilbert closed in October.
But it's not all bad news for the chain or fans of its cheesy pies. In October, the company also celebrated the grand opening of a location in Surprise. And the shuffle of Valley locations won't stop there.
Kaplan shared plans for two new locations in the Valley. Lou Malnati's plans to open restaurants in central Phoenix and in the San Tan Valley area in the next year.
Other metro Phoenix locations of Lou Malnati's, in Glendale, Surprise, North Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, remain open.
Big changes at Uptown Plaza
Lou Malnati's, with its marquee sign, was a center point of the Uptown Plaza. Its departure comes among a wave of changes for the shopping center. Huss Brewing Co. closed its taproom and restaurant in January. The Henry, a Fox Restaurant Concept, has been under construction on the center's southwest corner, with its new building replacing a former Applebee's.
Andrew Cohn, principal at Levine Investments, is looking toward the future.
"While we’re sad to see Lou Malnati’s leave Uptown Plaza," Cohn said in a statement, "great things are currently in the works so stay tuned."
