Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Little Caesars Franchise

Little Caesars is one of the largest pizza franchises in the world, operating in the value-focused, carryout end of the quick-service restaurant sector. Founded in 1959 in Michigan by Mike and Marian Ilitch and franchising since 1962, it is the third-largest pizza chain globally, with restaurants in all 50 US states and more than 30 countries. The brand remains privately held under Detroit-based Ilitch Holdings.

The model is built around high-volume, low-price pizza, anchored by the “Hot-N-Ready” ready-to-go offer and the long-running “Pizza! Pizza!” brand. Menus stay simple: fresh-dough pizzas, wings, bread and sides, sold mainly through carryout, drive-thru, delivery and the brand’s Pizza Portal self-service pickup stations. Roughly 86% of restaurants are franchise-owned.

Restaurants run on small footprints, with free-standing, inline and non-traditional formats for venues such as universities, convenience stores and airports. Franchisees source products through Little Caesars Supply Chain, the brand’s vertically integrated distribution arm. The system is oriented toward experienced, multi-unit operators rather than single-store owners.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Little Caesars resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Little Caesars Franchise?

Little Caesars pairs strong consumer brand recognition with one of the lowest price points in quick-service pizza, a positioning that has proved durable across economic cycles. For operators, the appeal of buying a Little Caesars franchise lies in a simple, value-led menu, a vertically integrated supply chain, and store formats that suit a wide range of sites, from traditional restaurants to express units inside gas and convenience locations.

The brand is built for multi-unit growth, and its support structure is geared to operators scaling several restaurants: national and local marketing backed by a system advertising fund, year-round franchise services, and internal real estate, architecture and accounting teams. Veterans and first responders receive meaningful fee and equipment discounts, and privately held ownership lets the company make decisions without shareholder pressure.

Little Caesars Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1959

    • Franchising Since

      1962

    • New Startup Cost

      $376,500 – $1,769,200

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $20,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $5,000

      per Restaurant (change of control); $1,000 non-control

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

      of Gross Sales or $300/week min

    • Marketing Fee

      Up to 7%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      4374

    • New Units Opened *

      109

    • Units Transferred *

      239

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Little Caesars – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming franchisees complete training that the brand frames as roughly five weeks in-store plus a week of brand training and virtual coursework, reflecting FDD-stated counts of 250 hours of on-the-job training and 64 classroom hours, much of it run through Little Caesars' national training in Detroit. Ongoing support comes from Franchise Services for operations and business consulting, internal marketing, accounting and architecture teams, products via Little Caesars Supply Chain, and a system advertising fund. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and onboarding the franchisor provides to incoming owners and existing staff.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Little Caesars suits disciplined, operations-led owners who can manage a high-volume, low-margin restaurant and the teams that run it. Prior pizza experience is not required, but restaurant or multi-unit operating experience is valued, since the brand actively recruits operators who intend to develop several locations. Strong staff management, cost control and consistent execution matter more than culinary skill. Owners comfortable with QSR systems, local marketing and hands-on team leadership tend to fit the model best.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Little Caesars ranked #51 on Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500 and #52 on its 2026 Fastest-Growing Franchises list, and is regularly recognized among the leading pizza and global franchise brands. Its parent, Ilitch Holdings, also owns the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, reinforcing strong national brand visibility, while the company's Love Kitchen and veterans programs support its community profile. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside a specific territory's local reputation, reviews and referral strength.

  4. Industry / Market

    Little Caesars competes in the US pizza restaurant market, worth roughly $49.5 billion in 2025 (IBISWorld). The category is large, mature and highly competitive, with demand led by value, speed and convenience, conditions that favor low-price carryout and delivery models. Pizza has proved resilient through downturns as households trade down to affordable meals, while digital ordering, drive-thru and contactless pickup continue to shape demand. For resale buyers, local competition and population density around a specific unit largely drive its sales potential.

Learn more about
how to own a Little Caesars franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.