PIZZA is a food that crosses age and community lines.
It is the same with Little Caesars Pizza.
Hence, Little Caesars Malaysia franchisees Datuk Vincent Choo and Datin Cynthia Cheong believe its broad appeal and the American chain’s affordable pricing will give it a boost in Malaysia.
Choo said the brand promotes value, convenience and localised offerings.
For example, selected 12-inch pizzas like Classic Pepperoni, Classic Cheese and Classic Veggie are priced at RM22 each.
Little Caesars Pizza vice-president international Andres De Robina said, “Our base business is to enable the community to come in and always have the best value.”
Before entering Malaysia with a store in Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya, that opened on May 24, Little Caesars commissioned consumer research involving different age groups and communities to shape its 11 pizza flavours.
Locally tailored items include Chicken Hawaiian, BBQ Chicken, Classic Veggie and 3 Cheese Edge to Edge. There is also mushroom soup that is not served at other franchises in the world.
“Here we have mushroom soup because we know Malaysians like to dip bread in it,” said De Robina.
Choo said the Pepperoni, Chicken Hawaiian and Classic Cheese pizzas were their top-selling items.
Another feature of the chain is its Hot-N-Ready model, where selected pizzas are prepared for immediate collection.
Choo said customers could walk in, pay and collect their order without waiting the usual 15 to 20 minutes for it to be prepared.
He added that the dough was made fresh daily at every store, with core ingredients such as flour, sauce and cheese imported to maintain product consistency.
An application for halal certification is underway.
Choo, who studied in the US, said he became familiar with Little Caesars while there.
He was later approached when the company began exploring expansion into Asia.
“One of the reasons I chose Little Caesars is because it is already one of the major pizza brands in the world,” he said.
Choo and Cheong are heading the chain’s Malaysian expansion, with the grand opening of the second restaurant in Bandar Puteri Puchong coincided with Choo’s birthday.
Present was Little Caesars Pizza international franchise services regional managing director Kek Koh.
