How Much Does a Little Caesars Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$377K – $1.8M
Franchise Fee
$20K
Royalty
the greater of 6% of Gross Sales for each one-week period or $300 for each one-week period
Ad Fund
7.0%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Little Caesars is $20K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Little Caesars franchise requires a total investment of $377K – $1.8M. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $17K to $47K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Little Caesars franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty structure is: the greater of 6% of Gross Sales for each one-week period or $300 for each one-week period. The advertising or brand fund contribution is 7.0% of gross sales. There is also a technology fee of $3K.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Little Caesars requires working capital of $17K – $47K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
Little Caesars does not disclose earnings data in Item 19 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish financial performance representations, though this is a data point many prospective franchisees consider important.
How Do Banks View Little Caesars?
SBA Loans Issued
163
Default Rate
8.0%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Little Caesars has 163 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 8.0%, which is below the franchise industry average, indicating relatively lower lending risk. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
Talk to current Little Caesars franchise owners
Get verified franchisee phone numbers for due diligence
See full Little Caesars research
Risk analysis, unit growth, contract terms, and more
Compare Little Caesars to similar franchises
Side-by-side investment, revenue, and risk comparison