Little Caesars announces Hawaii expansion programme

Little Caesars is looking to expand in the US state of Hawaii

Multinational pizza chain Little Caesars says it is looking to grow its presence in the US state of Hawaii, with a goal of opening more than 16 new franchise stores across the Hawaiian Islands by 2027. The bulk of franchise ownership opportunities are available on the island of Oahu, but the brand has also identified Kauai, Maui, the Big Island and Molokai as territories ripe for growth.

The brand, which has more than 4,000 locations in the US alone, claims a major focus of this expansion is providing interested military veterans located on the islands with financial incentives to open a franchise through the company’s Veterans Program. Established in 2006 by Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch, a Korean War military veteran, the program is designed to expand business opportunities for servicepeople.

“With more than 10 percent of the population made up of veterans and over 13 military bases in the state, Hawaii is home to some of our country’s greatest heroes,” said Craig Sherwood, Little Caesars vice president of US development and a military veteran himself.

“Our brand knows from experience — with hundreds of veteran-owned Little Caesars stores across the country— that military veterans make some of the best business owners out there. And in a market with such a large military presence, there are endless opportunities for veterans and other entrepreneurs to pursue business ownership by franchising with Little Caesars.”

Little Caesars currently has six locations in the 50th state, and is opening two more stores in Keaau and Kahului. The retailer says it is “building momentum” on the islands and is looking for investors for both single sites and multiple locations in the state.