'Pizza, Pizza' Eyes Danvers for Expansion

The nation's fourth largest pizza chain, known for its "Pizza, Pizza" ads and its $5 cheese pizzas, is looking to expand in Danvers and other areas of the North Shore.

Little Caesars is looking to add new restaurants in "smaller suburban and rural communities" and is in the midst of a "strategic franchise initiative that specifically targets expanding into Danvers and Essex County," according to spokesman Bob Spoerl.

Currently, there are four Little Caesars locations in Essex County - the closest is on Canal Street in Salem. There are also locations in Haverhill, Lawrence and Lynn.

But now, the company is looking at "untapped" suburban areas. If Little Caesars opens a new location in Danvers, it would be the second national pizza chain to open a new location in Danvers in recent years. Pizza Hut opened in a plaza on Route 114 in 2011, filling a space that had been occupied by a Quiznos sandwhich shop.

Traditionally, the pizza chain is located in shopping centers and strip malls, but this current expansion effort could allow "non-traditional franchise venues" such as being part of a convenience store or a location on a college campuses, Spoerl said in the company's announcement.

"The design flexibility of Little Caesars locations makes it an attractive fit for a variety of venues," the company said in its announcement.

The company is looking to partner with a new franchisee to open a Danvers location. Existing franchisees range from finance professionals and corporate executives to entrepreneurs and military veterans. It will provide franchisees with everything from training and architectural services to help design the restaurant to preferred lenders and marketing promotions.

“As we implement our strategic plan focused on adding new franchise units into previously untapped markets, we anticipate that consumers and franchise investors alike will be eager to connect with Little Caesars globally recognized brand name,” said Bob Mazziotti, vice president of franchise development for Little Caesars in the company's  announcement.

Little Caesars is best known for its "Pizza, Pizza" ads that returned to TV last year, according to a report in The Huffington Post.

The chain, which has been around for six decades, also offers a $5 cheese pizza "that is ready when customers are, with no wait time or need to call ahead."