What was the name of the first restaurant opened by the founders of Little Caesars in 1959?

The first restaurant opened by Little Caesars founders Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959 was called Little Caesar's Pizza Treat.

The restaurant opened in Garden City, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Mike and Marian Ilitch had married in 1955 and began building a pizza business together before expanding the Little Caesars name through additional locations and franchising.

The original name used an apostrophe and the word “Treat,” distinguishing it from the shortened brand name used today. Little Caesars later became known for its Hot-N-Ready model, which allowed customers to buy popular pizzas without placing an advance order.

The chain’s name came from Marian Ilitch’s nickname for Mike: “Little Caesar.” The founders remained closely associated with the company as it grew into a major international pizza franchise.