US-based Little Caesars ‘hot-and-ready’ pizza chain is seeking a partner to build and operate multiple stores in international markets, including Vietnam.
With more than 20 years of operations, Little Caesars is now the third largest pizza chain in the world with stores in 20 countries.
The star on its menu is Hot-and-Ready pizza, which saves time for customers who are always pressed for time: based on constantly updated data from sales patterns, stores predict demand for its most popular flavours, preparing them just in advance of customers requesting them.
After researching the country and the broader fast-food market opportunities in Vietnam, Little Caesars strongly believes the nation is ready for its hot-and-ready pizza concept.
“We feel that the consumer of Vietnam is ready for a very affordable, high-quality pizza that they can have hot-and-ready or which they can order on their way to the store and take home,” said Bill Schreiber, Little Caesars’ VP of international development.
“We are here to transform the pizza category in Vietnam as we have been able to transform the market in other countries.”
Qualified franchisees are expected to have active involvement in restaurant operations, and a comprehensive understanding of local culture, real estate and trade area in the territory to be developed.
Franchisees will get support from Little Caesars’ regional team, which includes marketing, operations, training, and supply chain functions as well as point-of-purchase materials.
A training program will be organised in classroom and on-the-job learning.
The numbers of units to be opened in Vietnam have not yet been decided, largely depending on the franchisee, their ability to grow and how fast they wish to.
“We are always open for growth on a quick scale but we also want to ensure that the franchisee is opening restaurants that offer high product quality and are in excellent locations,” said Schreiber.
Outlets could be opened in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which allows the new franchisee the flexibility for either one to start with.
With many international food franchise models not suited to all markets, Schreiber said Little Caesars will allow the franchisee to tailor the model to suit local customers.
“We will do consumer studies that tell us what the customer in Vietnam is looking for and adjust accordingly,” he said.
Little Caesars is one of the five brands which presented at the International Franchise Discovery Day in Hanoi, organised by VF Franchise Consulting and supported by Inside Retail Asia.
