The 2 Big-Time Pizza Chains That Came Out Of Michigan

We owe Michigan a debt of gratitude each time we flick through our phones for a quick and easy pizza dinner — and not just because the Wolverine State gave us Detroit-style pizza, which is unique due to its thick crust. We previously covered the fact that there's a restaurant in Michigan that was a psych ward in a former life (and may still be haunted), but two much better-known eateries had their start there: Domino's and Little Caesars.

Both chains started with a single storefront: Little Caesars in 1959 in Garden City, and Domino's in Ypsilanti a year later. Little Caesars, which represented the life savings of Mike and Marian Ilitch, opened its first franchise in nearby Warren in 1962. It wasn't until 1967 that Domino's, which was originally called Dominick's, opened its first franchise location. Now, the two pizza brands are known globally. Little Caesars is the home of the "Hot-N-Ready" take-and-go pizza, and Domino's has consistently pushed the envelope in takeout pizza innovation, from the online "Pizza Profile" to commissioning a fleet of Chevy EVs to put delivery pizza on electric wheels.

Of the facts you never knew about pizza, we're willing to bet that the mundane origins of your favorite pizza chain are high on the list. There might be a competing pizza joint on seemingly every corner of modest-sized cities, but, once upon a time, these major names were simple mom-and-pop pizzerias with humble roots.

Today, Domino's boasts over 21,000 locations in more than 90 countries, slinging slices to at least a million customers daily! As the largest pizza chain in the world, Domino's is currently employing a strategy called "Hungry for MORE," with each letter in the MORE acronym standing for a pillar of the company's values, from exceptional food to industry-leading customer service. Once upon a time, Dominick's may have been a humble pizzeria, but, today, Domino's is feeding cravings with a wide variety of menu items, like chicken wings, fresh salads, pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Always an innovator, Domino's brought us several items instrumental to the pizza experience, pioneering the cardboard pizza box, the hot delivery bag, the "spoodle" used for ladling sauce, and even the 3D car-top delivery sign.

Little Caesars, on the other hand, has pivoted to focus hard on convenience and value. As of last year, the world's third-largest pizza chain boasted over 4,000 locations in more than 30 countries and territories, each one promising customers that they could have a "Hot-N-Ready" pizza in hand within 30 seconds of entering the door. While Domino's floods its customers with variety, Little Caesars's menu focuses on what it does best: Pizza and Crazy Bread in various permutations, with the addition of Caesar Wings and a couple of dessert bars. You can't beat Little Caesars for value, making it a favorite stop for Little League parties, kids' birthdays, and fast, easy dinners 'round the world.