Kevin Winters on Steering Little Caesars’ Growth Across Canadian Urban Centers

Kevin Winters on Steering Little Caesars' Growth Across Canadian Urban Centers
Image Courtesy: Little Caesars Canada

In an insightful interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Kevin Winters, Franchise Development Manager at Little Caesars Canada, discussed the strategic methodologies behind the brand’s expansion in key Canadian markets like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Atlantic Canada. With a focus on aligning location selection with Little Caesars’ growth objectives, Kevin highlighted the importance of a data-driven approach that incorporates demographic trends, traffic patterns, and competitive landscapes. This meticulous process ensures each new location offers high visibility and accessibility, crucial for meeting and exceeding customer expectations. Kevin also touched on how innovations like the Pizza Portal® are reshaping customer interactions by providing convenience and efficiency. Further, he addressed the broader trends driving the QSR industry in Canada, such as the increasing demand for convenience, health-conscious options, and digital solutions, and how Little Caesars is adapting to these demands with strategic menu adaptations and technological enhancements. The company’s commitment to supporting multi-unit operators through rigorous selection processes and substantial backing emphasizes its dedication to long-term growth and operational excellence in the Canadian market.

Kevin Winters is a seasoned professional in the restaurant industry, boasting over a decade of experience. After earning his Bachelors degree from the University of Guelph, majoring in Real Estate, he honed his skills at Recipe Unlimited Corporation (formerly CARA), where he held various roles spanning Real Estate, Portfolio Management, and Franchise Development for both Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Full-Service Restaurant (FSR) concepts nationwide.

In June 2023, Kevin joined Little Caesars Pizza as a Development Manager, entrusted with leading New Store Growth strategies across Canada. With a dynamic background in real estate and franchise development, Kevin is driving innovation and fostering partnerships to expand Little Caesars market presence and franchise network in Canada. His passion for the industry, coupled with his strategic vision, positions him as a key driver of Little Caesars success in the Canadian market.


With your extensive background in real estate and franchise development, how do you align location selection with Little Caesars’ strategic growth objectives across Canadian markets like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal?

At Little Caesars, our strategic growth objectives are centered on expanding our footprint in key Canadian markets like Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Atlantic Canada. To align our location selection with these objectives, we leverage a data-driven approach combined with local market insights. We analyze demographic trends, traffic patterns, and competitive landscapes to identify prime locations that offer high visibility and accessibility.

Image Courtesy: Little Caesars Pizza

For example, in densely populated urban centers like Toronto and Montreal, we prioritize high-traffic areas near transportation hubs, schools, and residential neighborhoods to maximize convenience for our customers. In Vancouver, where there is a strong emphasis on lifestyle and outdoor activities, we focus on locations that cater to both residential communities and tourist attractions. By tailoring our approach to the unique characteristics of each market, we ensure that our locations not only meet but exceed customer expectations, driving both foot traffic and sales.


Little Caesars is known for its innovation, especially with technologies like the Pizza Portal®. Can you discuss how these innovations are shaping customer experiences and what new advancements we might expect in the near future?

Little Caesars has always been at the forefront of innovation in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. Our Pizza Portal® is a prime example of how we are enhancing customer experiences through technology. This self-service pick-up station allows customers to place orders online and retrieve them from the Pizza Portal® using a secure code, minimizing wait times, and providing a seamless, contactless experience. Our team is always looking for ways lead the industry in technology and innovation.


What major trends are currently driving the increased demand for QSR options in Canada, and how is Little Caesars positioning itself to capitalize on these trends?

Several major trends are driving the increased demand for QSR options in Canada, including convenience, health-conscious dining, and digital transformation. Consumers are seeking quick, affordable, and high-quality meals that fit their busy lifestyles.

Little Caesars is positioning itself to capitalize on these trends through various initiatives. Our “Hot-N-Ready” model addresses the demand for convenience by offering freshly prepared pizzas that are ready for immediate pick-up. To cater to health-conscious consumers, we are continuously making sure our menu includes fresh, more nutritious options and transparent ingredient sourcing.

Moreover, our investment in digital platforms enhances the overall customer experience. By offering online ordering, delivery services, and the innovative Pizza Portal®, we meet the growing demand for digital convenience. These efforts ensure that we stay ahead of market trends and continue to attract a diverse customer base.


Could you elaborate on Little Caesars’ approach to selecting and supporting multi-unit operators? What makes a candidate stand out for potential expansion opportunities?

At Little Caesars, we believe that the success of our franchisees directly contributes to the overall success of our brand. Therefore, we have a rigorous process for selecting and supporting multi-unit operators. We look for candidates with a proven track record in business management, a strong financial background, and a passion for operational excellence.

A standout candidate for potential expansion opportunities is someone who demonstrates a deep understanding of the QSR industry and a commitment to maintaining our high standards of quality and service. We provide comprehensive training programs, ongoing support, and access to cutting-edge technologies to ensure our operators are well-equipped to manage multiple locations successfully.

By fostering a collaborative relationship with our multi-unit operators, we ensure that they are aligned with our strategic objectives and positioned for long-term success.

Image Courtesy: Little Caesars Pizza

From your journey in the QSR industry, what have been some key lessons learned, and how do they inform your strategies at Little Caesars? Additionally, what are some upcoming projects or initiatives at Little Caesars that you are particularly excited about

Some of the key lessons we have discovered with Little Caesars in Canada is that our guests want convenience, value, and quality offerings. As there are many new and existing QSR options for a Canadian consumer across the nation, it is imperative for our operations to ensure they are Hot N Ready and provide a consistent experience. As Canada continues to open new traditional locations, we are also exploring and beginning to gain traction with the express or non-traditional segment of gas and convenience offerings. Although Canada already operates a few express locations today, this segment has a strong runway to market underserviced areas while delivering the same experience and quality offering.

Exciting initiatives for the Little Caesars brand in Canada are offering multi-unit incentive programs for new or existing partners. We want to help support those that have an aggressive vision to grow the brand on a multi-unit scale. Little Caesars in Canada is also taking the initiative to soon offer a veteran and first responders’ program. The Little Caesars brand is considered a legacy franchise opportunity and model, and supporting through incentives or other new offerings is another way for Little Caesars to help support and grow our network.

Share
Tweet
Pin it
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Share
Related Posts
Total
0
Share