Little Caesars franchise
Little Caesars is a carryout pizza chain known for ready-to-go Hot-N-Ready pizzas, Crazy Bread and wings at low prices. Most stores are small carryout units, which keeps staffing and space needs modest. At the end of 2025 there were 4,374 Little Caesars locations in the US, 3,788 franchised and 586 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $377K–$1.77M
- Franchise fee
- $20,000
- Royalty
- 6%
- Locations, 2025
- 4,374+189 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1962
- First location
- 1959
- Franchisor based in
- Detroit, Michigan
- Time to open
- 60 to 270 days after signing
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- None offered
From Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc’s 2026 filing.
How much a Little Caesars franchise costs
Opening one Little Caesars restaurant costs an estimated $376,500 to $1,769,200. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc, 2026 filing, page 29
Little Caesars franchise fee
The franchise fee is $20,000, the standard fee ($5,000 less for a U.S. military veteran's first restaurant). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc, 2026 filing, page 15
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales or $300 a week, whichever is greater, paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | Up to 7% of gross sales, split between the Caesar Fund, any co-op and local advertising. |
Source: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc, 2026 filing, page 18
Sales and earnings
No figures Little Caesars does not share sales or profit figures for its locations. Talking to current and former franchise owners is the usual way to learn what a location earns.
Source: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc, 2026 filing, page 73
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,641 (+42) | 575 | 41 |
| 2024 | 3,701 (+60) | 580 | 41 |
| 2025 | 3,788 (+87) | 586 | 22 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc, 2026 filing, page 74
How Little Caesars compares
Of the 9 pizza franchises on this site, Little Caesars is the 4th cheapest to open and the 3rd largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Little Caesars | Typical pizza |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $377K | $573K |
| Royalty | 6% | 5.3% |
| Closed or left per year | 1% | 2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +5.3% | +6.1% |
| Shares earnings figures | No | 6 of 9 |
Typical is the median across the 9 brands in pizza franchises.
Other pizza franchises
Little Caesars franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Little Caesars?
60 to 270 days after signing, according to Little Caesars's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Little Caesars help with financing?
No. Little Caesars does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
Do Little Caesars franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Little Caesars grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Little Caesars can open nearby.
How long is a Little Caesars franchise agreement?
The initial term is 10 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Little Caesars growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 293 franchised locations opened and 104 closed or left, a net change of +5.3%. About 1% of locations closed or left each year. That is below the 2% typical for pizza franchises.
How does Little Caesars compare with other pizza franchises?
Of the 9 pizza franchises here, Little Caesars is the 4th cheapest to open (low end $377K against a $573K median) and the 3rd largest by number of locations. Its 6% royalty is above the 5.3% median.
Does Little Caesars say how much franchisees make?
No, Little Caesars doesn't publish sales or profit figures for its locations, while 6 of the 9 pizza brands here do. Current and former owners are the best source.
Where is Little Caesars based?
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc is based in Detroit, Michigan and the brand has sold franchises since 1962; the first location opened in 1959.