Detroit — 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,” says 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.
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, Md.
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. From universities and sports venues to military installations, the brand continues expanding access to its value-driven offering nationwide.
Little Caesars® was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch as a single, family-owned restaurant in 1959 and is headquartered in downtown Detroit. 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. Little Caesars is part of the Ilitch Companies family of businesses. For more information, visit www.LittleCaesars.com.
SOURCE: Little Caesars