A global pizza chain takes a bite out of the Big Apple with plans to open hundreds of restaurants in the New York metropolitan area over the next several years
Little Caesars, the global family-owned pizza chain with stores in each of the 50 U.S. states and across 27 countries and territories, announced this week the signing of a 10-store restaurant agreement to expand its presence in New York City. Veteran multi-brand franchisees Suhel Ahmed and Saurabh Desai signed the deal and will develop 10 Little Caesars restaurants in the Bronx and upper Manhattan by 2026. The first opening is scheduled for late 2023.
“New York City is an iconic pizza market, and we’re eager to bring more of our high-quality, great-value products and fast, convenient ordering options to the city,” said Jeremy Vitaro, Little Caesars chief development officer. “Convenience is key in a fast-paced city like New York, and our brand’s digital-first offerings—like our Pizza Portal® pickup, the first heated, self-serve mobile order pick-up station in the quick service restaurant industry—are ideal for residents there. We’re excited to work with Suhel and Saurabh, who have extensive experience developing restaurants in New York City, to help grow our presence in the market.”
Ahmed and Desai—both New York City natives—have more than 40 years of combined restaurant experience. They also own and operate dozens of franchise locations by other global quick service restaurant chains throughout New York City.
“We know how to own and operate a multi-unit franchise business, and we know what brands work in New York City,” said Ahmed. “We chose to franchise with Little Caesars because it has decades of experience as a global pizza chain and because of its recognized value, quality and convenience that revolutionized the pizza industry.”
In addition to its planned New York City expansion, Little Caesars is looking to grow across the Tri-State area. Little Caesars is seeking accomplished multi-unit franchisees with extensive QSR experience to help grow the brand. There are several multi-unit opportunities available with a three-store minimum agreement throughout Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, Connecticut and the five boroughs.
Little Caesars franchising investments range from $378,700 to $1,695,500 million, with incentive programs available for veterans and first responders. Interested prospects should visit franchise.littlecaesars.com.
Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959 as a single, family-owned restaurant. Today, it is the third-largest pizza chain in the world, with stores in each of the 50 U.S. states and 27 countries and territories.
Known for its HOT-N-READY® pizza and famed Crazy Bread®, Little Caesars uses quality ingredients, like fresh, never frozen, mozzarella and Muenster cheese and sauce made from fresh-packed, vine-ripened California crushed tomatoes. The brand is known for innovation and is home of the exclusive Pizza Portal® pickup, a heated, self-service mobile order pickup station. Little Caesars is also the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League.
An exceptionally high-growth company with over 60 years of experience in the $145 billion worldwide pizza industry, Little Caesars is continually looking for franchisee candidates to join the team in markets around the world. In addition to providing the opportunity for entrepreneurial independence in a franchise system, Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized and appealing characters in the country, Little Caesar.
