1959
A Family Beginning
The first Little Caesars restaurant opened in Garden City, Michigan, in 1959 after Mike and Marian Ilitch invested their savings in a pizza business.
Our History
The Founders
A Michigan restaurant lays the foundation for global growth
The Little Caesars story began with Mike Ilitch and Marian Bayoff, who met in 1954 and married in 1955. In 1959, they opened a pizza shop in Garden City, Michigan. Their restaurant became the foundation for a wider business, with franchising, advertising and Detroit connections shaping its development over the following years.
1962
Franchise Growth
Warren, Michigan welcomed the first franchise. This expansion model allowed independent operators to help bring Little Caesars into additional communities.
1967
Entering Detroit
A restaurant opened within Detroit itself, adding a city location to the company’s growing presence across southeastern Michigan.
1969
Beyond the U.S. Border
A Canadian opening introduced international expansion as the restaurant count reached the fifty-location milestone.
1971
Supplying Restaurants
The family bought a mushroom farm to improve supplies and ingredient costs. That business eventually grew into Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, supporting the restaurant network with services.
1979
Value Advertising
The Pizza! Pizza! slogan accompanied a two-pizza offer, giving Little Caesars a memorable expression of its emphasis on value.
1985
Pizza With Purpose
The Love Kitchen began serving people experiencing hunger or homelessness and communities affected by disasters through traveling pizza operations.
1989
Headquarters Comes to Detroit
Renovated offices beside the Fox Theatre became the corporate headquarters, bringing the company’s central operations into downtown Detroit.
1997
Promoting Ready Pizza
Shakerboards helped advertise HOT-N-READY, putting the promise of convenient carryout in front of people passing participating restaurants.
2019
Supporting Global Operations
The Global Resource Center opened in Detroit, expanding headquarters space for collaboration and supporting the pizza company’s operations across international markets.
Ordering Keeps Evolving
Rooted in Michigan. Reaching customers around the world.
Pizza Portal pickup and digital ordering added new ways to collect meals as the business expanded. Select a restaurant before ordering to check its menu, available offers, collection options and the final checkout price.