| FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Little
Caesars #1 Pizza Chain in 2007 U.S. Store Growth
Achieves
Seventh Consecutive Year of Significant Sales Increases
Named Highest Rated Quick Serve Restaurant Chain in Value for the Money
DETROIT –
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today announced that it built more domestic
units than any other pizza chain in 2007, while being recognized as the
top value quick serve restaurant chain in the U.S. “Our strategic
new store growth continues, and we’re very pleased that 2007 marked
our seventh consecutive year of significant sales increases outpacing
industry growth,” said David Scrivano, president, Little Caesar
Enterprises, Inc. “Even with current economic pressures, we are
growing the chain by executing our strategy.”
Recognized as the
world’s largest carry-out pizza chain, Little Caesars’ year-over-year
sales increases again led to significant franchisee growth and entry into
new markets. This growth, coupled with fresh, quality products, outstanding
value for customers and strong national brand recognition, positions Little
Caesars for continued and accelerated growth in 2008 and beyond.
In one of the largest
U.S. quick serve restaurant research studies in 2007, Little Caesars was
named for the first time the “best value for the money” of
all quick serve restaurant chains. Sandelman & Associates’ Quick-Track®
research study tracks key consumer behavioral and attitudinal measures
for all major fast-food chains. Surveys were conducted among more than
84,000 quick service restaurant customers in 70 major markets across the
U.S. Little Caesars was also named highest rated pizza chain for “Convenience
of Locations” and “Speed of Service.”
“Our customers
are telling us they appreciate the great value we provide,” said
Scrivano. “Value is created by offering top quality pizza made with
fresh ingredients for a great price. This recognition from Sandelman clearly
validates our market position as the value leader and is a testament to
our competitive advantage.”
Attracting
a Broad Range of Investors
In 2007, Little Caesars
built new stores in eight countries and 36 states. Little Caesars plans
to continue the growth by opening hundreds of stores worldwide in 2008.
Numerous business investors are seeing value in Little Caesars, including
individuals experienced with other brands, people transitioning to a second
career and investment companies.
“I left an executive
position with another food chain and became an entrepreneur with Little
Caesars because of the high quality products and simple operating model,”
said Mike McGuire, Little Caesars Minneapolis-area franchisee. “With
the strong training and ongoing support Little Caesars offers franchisees,
I have been able to open six Little Caesars stores and plan to open three
additional locations in 2008.” Three years ago there was one Little
Caesars store and one franchisee in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market area.
Today there are more than a dozen stores and five franchisees.
People from many backgrounds
have chosen Little Caesars as a second career. Former Ford autoworker
Dale Beck took a buyout in 2006 and opened his St. Louis-area Little Caesars
in June of 2007. “I made a plan to transition to a different career,
and I’ve enjoyed bringing the same discipline I developed in the
auto industry to my own business,” said Beck. “I encourage
other auto workers, and people from any field desiring to get into business
for themselves, to explore opportunities with Little Caesars.”
Investment companies
are also interested in Little Caesars. For example, Sizzling Caesar, an
experienced restaurant group with several brands, recently purchased dozens
of Little Caesars stores in Utah and Colorado to expand their holdings.
“We have many food service interests and we were looking for an
investment that would help us expand in today’s economy,”
said Ted Morton, CEO of parent company Sizzling Platter. “We’re
so happy with our Little Caesars business that we have signed an agreement
to expand the Little Caesars brand with dozens more stores in Utah and
Colorado.”
Domestic Expansion
Plans
In 2008, Little Caesars
is focusing on growing in areas across the country including Boston, St.
Louis, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, among many others, providing
opportunities for individuals looking for more independence through business
ownership.
To maintain its continued
growth, Little Caesars supports franchisees with strong processes and
a proven system that includes: ongoing training and support, architectural
services to help with store design and construction, preferred lenders
to assist with financing, the ongoing research and development of new
products, and effective marketing programs and support.
”We continue
to innovate to provide more value to more people in more places,”
said Scrivano. “Little Caesars has been in business for nearly 50
years, and remains well-positioned today in this competitive market segment.”
International
Expansion Plans
Little Caesars intends
to expand its international presence and has approved franchisees in Costa
Rica, Peru and Ireland. To support its long term focus on international
growth, Little Caesars promoted Michael Therrian to Vice President, International.
He will focus on growing stores and strengthening the Little Caesars brand
globally. Little Caesars has a presence or approved franchisees in more
than 20 countries.
Giving Back
The Little Caesars
Veterans Program continues to provide business ownership opportunities
to military veterans. Currently 25 veterans have become Little Caesars
franchisees under the program. It offers honorably discharged, service-disabled
veterans who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees a benefit of up to
$68,000. Honorably discharged, non-service-disabled veterans who qualify
as Little Caesars franchisees are eligible for a benefit of $10,000.
The Little Caesars
Love Kitchen, a pizza kitchen on wheels that travels the nation providing
hot pizza meals to the homeless, disaster survivors and rescue workers,
made a difference for more than 15,000 people in 60 locations. Since its
inception in 1985 the Little Caesars Love Kitchen has provided meals to
more than two million people.
About Little
Caesars
Little Caesars Pizza
founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their first restaurant in Garden
City, Michigan in 1959. Little Caesars built more stores in the U.S. in
2007 than any other pizza chain and today is the largest carry-out chain
internationally with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars is
growing in prime markets across the country, and is offering strong franchisee
candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system. In addition,
Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized
characters in the country, Little Caesar, that appeals to both adults
and children.
In addition to Little
Caesars Pizza, Ilitch companies in the food, sports and entertainment
industries include – the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Olympia
Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution,
Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising
Program, and a variety of venues within these entities. Marian Ilitch
also owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.
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