Strong Brand Recognition, an Unbeatable Consumer Value Proposition and Prime Market Availability Highlight Little Caesars® Pizza’s Competitive International Franchise Opportunity

When Mike and Marian Ilitch opened the first Little Caesars® Pizza in the Detroit suburb of Garden City 60 years ago, their goal was to eventually open six more so they could leave one to each of their seven children to secure each of their futures. What they didn’t realize at the time was how much further their idea would exceed their original expectations. By establishing their store as a quick and affordable place to pick up dinner at a time when pizza was still considered a treat and not an everyday food option, the Ilitches and Little Caesars changed the way pizza was perceived in America—and the world, for that matter. 

As the global pizza industry has grown to one worth a whopping $145 billion, Little Caesars has kept pace. Now the third-largest pizza chain in the world with stores in 26 countries across the globe, including each of the 50 U.S. states, all 10 provinces of Canada and each of Mexico’s 32 states, Little Caesars’ large-scale growth over the last six decades can be directly attributed to its unwavering focus on value, quality and convenience. By striving to provide great tasting pizza at an affordable value, Little Caesars is poised to continue its upward trajectory on an international scale. 

As 2020 shapes up to be a year of large-scale international development for the brand, Little Caesars continues to stand out from the competition as a brand with both a 60-year legacy of growing successful, happy franchisees and a clear path toward an even brighter future through evolving technology and a growth-forward mindset.

“We have a very proud history of innovation, something we find is extremely important to our continued growth,” said Brett Larrabee, Director of International Development for Little Caesars. Larrabee highlighted Mike Ilitch’s invention of what is known as the pizza conveyor oven and the brand’s recently unveiled Pizza Portal technology as two excellent examples of this innovation in action throughout brand history that serve as a testament to Little Caesars’ positioning atop the industry. 

“Paired with our unbeatable consumer value proposition, the innovative means by which we streamline service helps us deliver on our Hot-N-Ready® promise that consumers can walk in and out of a Little Caesars with a fresh, delicious pizza in 30 seconds or less, a model that has revolutionized our business,” Larrabee continued. 

According to Larrabee, this consumer value proposition is another key element to the strength of the Little Caesars business opportunity on an international level. In many countries, Western brands come at a premium to consumers and business investors alike—but not Little Caesars.

“Western brands are extremely attractive to consumers in international markets, and Little Caesars is the most affordable American food brand out there,” said Larrabee. “The majority of U.S. restaurant brands are expensive, and our position as an affordable brand for working-class families is what makes Little Caesars work so well in every international market. We are the last major pizza chain in most countries where the opportunity to bring a legacy U.S. pizza brand still exists. if you’re looking to bring a major U.S. pizza brand to your country, Little Caesars is the perfect opportunity.”

After six years of positive international growth and a 2019 highlighted by new store openings in Spain, India, and Barbados. Little Caesars is approaching 2020 with plans to further build on that positive momentum. The brand is pursuing growth in each of the aforementioned markets and looking to break into a number of new ones by pursuing master development agreements in 2020 Some of Little Caesars’ key target development markets include the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Thailand, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the UK, among others.

With a straightforward business model focused on profitability and a strong culture of support and state-of-the-art technology, there’s no better time to join the Little Caesars franchise system. Successful Little Caesars international master developers have experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, preferably with Western brands, and established business and real estate contacts in the country they’re looking to develop. Ideal candidates are also well-capitalized, with $1.5 million in liquid assets, and possess the drive to build 10-plus stores in a five-year span.

“The common thread that runs through our most successful international franchisees is a passion for business, above all,” Larrabee said. “When paired with a willingness to learn and a desire to make a difference in the community, the opportunity to scale their business through our support is huge.”

For more information about franchising internationally with Little Caesars, please visit https://international.littlecaesars.com/.