Little Caesars Strengthens Military Footprint with New Navy Base Locations Across the U.S.

Family-Owned Pizza Brand Drives Momentum in Non-Traditional Formats, Expanding Access for Military Communities Nationwide

DETROIT, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Little Caesars®, the third-largest pizza chain in the world, is building on its commitment to serving military communities with four new locations planned across U.S. Navy installations. The expansion follows the brand's first military base opening at Pearl Harbor in 2025 and marks another step in its continued non-traditional growth.

"Military communities are an important part of Little Caesars and our commitment to supporting those who serve," said Sally Rampersad, Director of Non-Traditional and Development Services for Little Caesars. "Since 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans program has helped countless veterans pursue franchise ownership and build successful businesses with Little Caesars. At the same time, we're also proud to work with experienced franchise operators who share our values and are proud to serve military members and their families through non-traditional locations, such as Naval Base San Diego. These locations allow us to bring the convenience and quality of Little Caesars to the communities where our military members live and work."

The Naval Base San Diego expansion is being led by BAXIMUS founders Phil Thomas and Kris Wellmaker, experienced restaurant operators with a growing presence on military installations nationwide. After more than 15 years with Chick-fil-A, the partners launched BAXIMUS to bring high-quality dining options to military communities and now operate multiple concepts on bases across the country.

"Our goal has always been to bring quality restaurant experiences to military communities," said Wellmaker. "Little Caesars stood out because of its reputation for quality, value, and convenience. We're proud to partner with a family-owned brand that shares our commitment to serving these communities and providing service members and their families with a dining option they can count on."

Alongside the new restaurant at Naval Base San Diego, BAXIMUS recently introduced a Little Caesars food truck to serve military events and installations where traditional dining options may be limited. The company also has additional Little Caesars development planned, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Beyond the San Diego expansion, Little Caesars will also open new locations at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, operated by franchisee Keyur Chauhan, who joined the system in 2022 and currently operates three restaurants in Georgia. In California, franchisee Tony Dao, who joined the brand in 2018, will further expand his presence with locations at the Navy Exchange at Port Hueneme and at Naval Air Station Lemoore.

These openings build on the broader Little Caesars non-traditional growth strategy, using strategic partnerships to reach guests where they live, work, and serve. From universities and sports venues to military installations, the brand continues expanding access to its value-driven offering nationwide.

Little Caesars is actively seeking qualified multi-unit franchise operators to support development efforts in target markets nationwide. As a privately owned brand, Little Caesars offers franchisees a proven business model, flexible real estate strategies, and scalable multi-unit growth. The brand's long-term approach gives franchisees the tools and support needed to develop alongside the system.

With more than 65 years of family-owned history, Little Caesars emphasizes quality, value, and convenience. Franchisees benefit from an integrated supply chain, innovative menu offerings, and flexible restaurant formats, including the new Elev8 design and modular POD units, allowing the brand to adapt to a variety of real estate options. Little Caesars also maintains a strong community focus through its Love Kitchen® program, which has served more than 4 million meals nationwide, and partnerships with local schools, sports teams, and nonprofits. Little Caesars also offers incentive programs for veterans and first responders. Interested candidates can learn more information at franchise.littlecaesars.com.

About Little Caesars®

Little Caesars®, the Best Value in Pizza*, was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch as a single, family-owned restaurant in 1959 and is headquartered in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is the third-largest pizza chain in the world, with restaurants in each of the 50 U.S. states and 30 countries and territories. 

Known for its HOT-N-READY® pizza, Crazy Puffs®, 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 to the exclusive Pizza Portal® pickup, a heated, self-service mobile order pickup station. Little Caesars is also the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL. 

A high-growth company with over 65 years in the $150 billion worldwide pizza industry, Little Caesars continually looks for franchisee candidates to join the team in markets worldwide. In addition to providing the opportunity for entrepreneurial independence in a franchise system, Little Caesars offers a simple operating system, a reputation for taste and value, and strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized characters in the country, Little Caesar. Little Caesars is proud to be part of the Ilitch Companies family of businesses.

For more, visit LittleCaesars.com and follow Little Caesars on TikTok, Instagram, and X.

*Limited to top 4 national pizza chains

SOURCE Little Caesars