By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Aroostook County might have another national pizza chain to dine at as corporate officials with Little Caesars have expressed interest in developing a franchise in Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou.
Dan Ducharme, director of franchise development for Little Caesars, said the company’s strategic franchise growth initiative is specifically targeting expansion in the Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou areas, in shopping centers and strip centers. In Houlton, the company is especially focused on locating along North Street where there is substantial commercial development.
While there are no specific plans to open a business in the immediate future, Ducharme said the company was seeking individuals interested in starting a franchise in Aroostook County.
“Little Caesars has been experiencing year-over-year growth for more than a decade, not just in sales but in store growth,” he said. “We are in all 50 states and 20 countries. Now we are starting to look at a lot of the smaller markets. We’re finding the hard-working folks in these communities are looking for great value. We’re hoping that folks in the community would be more interested in learning more and becoming a franchisee.”
The average cost to start a franchise, including construction is $300,000, he said. According to the company’s website, the financial requirements for potential franchisees of Little Caesars are a net worth of $250,000, with a minimum $100,000 in “liquid, unencumbered assets (like cash).” Interested parties must be able to obtain financing to cover the total cost of opening a franchised location.
Ducharme said Little Caesars is “the fastest growing pizza chain in the world” based on the net number of stores added 2008-12. And, it has been named the “Highest-Rated Chain – Value for the Money” based on a nationwide survey of quick-service restaurant consumers.
According to the company’s website, Mike and Marian Ilitch opened their first Little Caesars restaurant in Garden City, Mich. more than 50 years ago. The company currently has 10 locations across Maine, with the closest being Bangor. Presque Isle once had a Little Caesars establishment, but that location closed in the mid-1990s.
Individuals interested in learning more about opening a franchise, can contact Ducharme at 313-471-6409 or visit their website.
