All You Need To Know About Little Caesars
Little Caesars has become a household name in America when it comes to the pizza industry, thanks to its famous “Hot-N-Ready” model that redefined convenience. Founded in 1959 by Mike and Marian Ilitch, LC is a family-owned business that grew from a humble pizza shop in Garden City, Michigan, to one of the largest pizza chains in the world.
But Little Caesars isn't just known for selling pizzas, it's a brand with a big heart, from supporting local communities through its “Love Kitchen” program to introducing clever marketing campaigns, it's a company that values connection as much as quality.
While Little Caesars has mastered the art of standing out in a crowded industry, there is a lot to learn about the brand and we are here for it. Let us take you through the rich history of the chain and shed light on some underrated facts!
Little Caesars History
Little Caesars' journey to becoming a global pizza chain started with a love story. Mike Ilitch met Marian Bayoff on a blind date arranged by his father in 1954. Within months, they were married, and in 1959, the couple invested their savings into their first pizza restaurant in Garden City, Michigan. Marian recorded their very first sales in a spiral notebook, symbolizing the humble beginnings of what would become a legendary brand.
Just three years later, in 1962, Little Caesars opened its first franchise in Warren, Michigan. This move set the stage for rapid growth, making it the fastest-growing pizza chain in the U.S. for years to come.
By 1967, the brand expanded into Detroit, and by 1969, it had opened its 50th restaurant and its first international location in Canada. Today, Little Caesars operates in all 50 U.S. states and 18 countries worldwide.
In the 1970s, the company took innovative steps to improve operations, including purchasing a mushroom farm to ensure better quality ingredients. In 1979, they launched the iconic “PIZZA! PIZZA!” deal, offering two pizzas for the price of one, a campaign that became a cultural phenomenon. The brand also expanded its menu in the 1980s with the introduction of Pan!Pan! square deep-dish pizza.
Little Caesars has always focused on giving back to the community. In 1985, the Love Kitchen was launched to serve free, hot pizza to people in need and disaster survivors. It earned national recognition, receiving the President's Volunteer Action Award twice.
Meanwhile, the company continued to grow its headquarters in Detroit, renovating historic buildings and doubling its office space with the Global Resource Center announced in 2014.
With a foundation of family values, innovative ideas, and community spirit, Little Caesars has become a global pizza icon while staying true to its Detroit roots.
Little Caesars' Love For Detroit
Little Caesars' founding family, the Ilitch family, has always stayed true to their Detroit roots. Their love for their work and their hometown has inspired them to invest in various ventures, including food, sports, entertainment, and education, to support the growth of Detroit.
Sports
The Ilitches are proud owners of two iconic Detroit sports teams. They purchased the Detroit Red Wings in 1982 and the Detroit Tigers in 1992. Under their leadership, the Red Wings achieved great success, including 16 division titles, six President's Trophies, six Campbell Bowls, and four Stanley Cups. They also hold the record for 25 consecutive years of playoff hockeythe longest streak in professional sports.
In 2014, work began on the Little Caesars Arena, which became the Red Wings' new home and the centerpiece of The District Detroit, a large redevelopment project transforming 50 city blocks into a lively community with residential areas, sports venues, and entertainment spaces.
The Tigers also flourished under their ownership. A new $295-million ballpark, Comerica Park, opened in 2000 thanks to the Ilitches' efforts. The team celebrated major milestones, winning the American League pennant in 2006 and 2012 and securing four consecutive Central Division titles from 2011 to 2014.
Entertainment
In 1987, the Ilitches bought Detroit's historic Fox Theatre, which had fallen into disrepair. They fully restored the 5,000-seat venue, reopening it in 1989 and kickstarting a revival of Detroit's theatre district. The Fox Theatre remains a top destination, hosting concerts, shows, and classic films.
In 1996, they established Olympia Development to spearhead real estate projects in downtown Detroit, including the renaming of their operations arm to Olympia Entertainment to reflect its growing portfolio. That same year, they opened Hockeytown Cafe, a popular sports bar that gained national recognition.
Marian Ilitch also became involved in the casino industry, investing in MotorCity Casino in 1999 and becoming its sole owner in 2005. By 2008, the casino completed a massive $300 million expansion.
Education
In 2015, the Ilitch family made a significant contribution to education in Detroit with a $40 million donation to establish the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. This gift marked the largest donation in the university's history and one of the largest ever given to a public university in the U.S., leaving a lasting legacy in academic development.
This version maintains the key facts while ensuring originality and a conversational tone suitable for a blog.
Little Caesars Pizza Kits: Fundraising Initiavtives
Little Caesars Fundraising is a program designed to help schools, sports teams, nonprofits, and other organizations raise money for their causes. The program primarily revolves around selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits, which include all the ingredients needed to make the brand's signature pizzas at home. These kits are easy to sell because of the popularity of the Little Caesars brand and the appeal of convenient, family-friendly meals.
Organizations earn a portion of the sales for each kit, making it a simple and profitable way to fundraise. The program is often praised for its ease of use, as it provides resources like online ordering options, marketing materials, and support to help groups maximize their efforts. The kits are shipped directly to the organization or customers, adding convenience to the process.
How It Works
Step 1: Register Your Fundraiser
Kick off your journey by registering your fundraiser online anytime, or call their team at 1-888-452-5487 (Option 2) Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET. Whether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned pro, they'll help you schedule your preferred delivery week, send brochures, and provide everything you need to set your fundraiser up for success.
Step 2: Sell and Earn Big Dough
For every Little Caesars Pizza Kit your group sells, you'll earn $6making it easy to rack up significant profits. The more kits you sell, the more your earnings grow! Most organizations aim for a 2-3 week selling period, during which participants can collect orders and payments through brochures or online. Checks or money orders should be made payable to your group for simplicity.
Step 3: Place Your Order
Once your selling period wraps up, take about a week to gather brochures and payments from your sellers. Submit your final order by Monday, at least two weeks before your chosen delivery week. Orders of 100 or more items qualify for free delivery, while smaller orders (50-99 items) incur a $50 delivery fee. (Minimums and fees may vary in Canada.)
Step 4: Payment on Delivery
Your group's payment is due at the time of delivery. Accepted forms include school checks, cashier's checks, or money orders. Please note that delivery drivers cannot accept personal checks, starter checks, credit cards, or cash.
Step 5: Delivery Day
On delivery day, your order will arrive at your group's location in a refrigerated truck. To keep the process smooth:
- Choose an accessible delivery spot to avoid stairs.
- Recruit one helper for every 100 items sold to assist with sorting and distributing orders.
- Schedule customer pick-ups 1-3 hours after delivery to allow enough time to organize orders.
If you meet the delivery minimums, your order will be delivered free of charge; otherwise, fees may apply. Canadian groups should confirm any specific delivery requirements with Little Caesars Fundraising.
Little Caesars Locations
Little Caesars has 4,203 locations in the United States. The pizza place is located in every state of the country. Little Caesars also has restaurants in 18 international markets.
Little Caesars Franchising
Little Caesars Franchise costs vary depending on location and other factors, but they typically range from $379,000 $460,000. Franchise requirements include an initial investment of at least $150,000 in liquid assets as well as net worth of at least $350,000. Additionally, prospective franchisees must have prior management experience and attend mandatory training programs offered by Little Caesars.
The benefits of owning a Little Caesars franchise include access to their world-renowned products and services along with brand recognition that will provide customers with an assurance of quality food and service. Plus, you'll benefit from ongoing support through marketing materials and operations assistance when needed.
Little Caesars Gift Cards
Little Caesars offers physical gift cards which can be purchased in-store. With a gift card, you get access to all the benefits that come with being part of the Little Caesars family like exclusive promotions and discounts for registered users.
To activate your card, simply redeem it at any participating location or use it when ordering online. You can also check your balance anytime by visiting the gift card section on their official website.
Save on your next Little Caesars purchase.
Popular Questions
- Does Little Caesars accept cash?
Yes, Little Caesars accepts cash payments. However, they have also implemented other payment methods such as cashless payments and online ordering that allow customers to purchase their meals without having to use physical currency. Additionally, customers can take advantage of meal plans which provide discounts for frequent purchases. - How long does it take for Little Caesars to deliver?
Little Caesars delivers to select areas and their delivery times vary depending on the location. You can check online if your area is eligible for delivery, and you will be able to see estimated delivery times. - Are there any special discounts for Little Caesars customers?
Little Caesars customers can enjoy special discounts and rewards through a subscription to Crazy! Crazy! Deals. Customers who sign up get exclusive offers. Additionally, members of the loyalty program receive promotional emails and notifications about new menu items or limited-time deals.
