Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people opting to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those who love pizza but need to follow a gluten-free diet, a common question is whether popular pizza chains like Little Caesars offer gluten-free crust options.
The Short Answer
Unfortunately, at this time Little Caesars does not offer a gluten-free pizza crust option nationally. While some local franchises may experiment with gluten-free crusts, there is no gluten-free crust consistently available at all Little Caesars locations.
About Little Caesars
Founded in 1959, Little Caesars is the third largest pizza chain in the world behind Pizza Hut and Domino’s. The company is known for offering affordable pizza and convenient service, popularizing their “Hot-N-Ready” pizzas that are available for carryout without the need to place an order ahead of time.
With headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, Little Caesars has restaurants in all 50 U.S. states and globally across 27 countries and territories. Their signature pizzas include the Classic Pepperoni and Cheese as well as the Crazy Bread side item.
Little Caesars Pizza Crust
The standard pizza crust at Little Caesars is not gluten-free. It contains the proteins gluten and gliadin, derived from wheat flour which is used to make the pizza dough.
For customers who need to avoid gluten, the regular Little Caesars crust is not safe to eat. The chain does not currently offer any certified gluten-free crust alternative in its restaurants nationwide.
Gluten-Free Options at Little Caesars
Because the crust at Little Caesars is not gluten-free, gluten-sensitive customers have limited options. It’s possible to order a pizza without the crust, which removes the source of gluten from the meal.
Little Caesars does note that the sauce and cheese toppings on their pizzas are gluten-free. So a pizza without the crust may be a possibility for some with gluten issues. However, there is still a risk of cross-contamination as the pizzas are prepared in shared spaces.
For a lower risk option, the chain’s Italian Cheese Bread is listed as gluten-free friendly. But again, potential for cross-contamination may exist.
Local and Regional Gluten-Free Efforts
While Little Caesars does not offer gluten-free crust nationwide, some local franchise locations may experiment with gluten-free options or offer them regionally. These efforts are not officially endorsed or supported by the parent company.
For example, in the past some Little Caesars franchisees in Florida and Wisconsin reportedly tested out gluten-free crusts made with rice flour in their stores. But coverage was limited.
Customers who are interested in finding possible gluten-free crusts from Little Caesars may want to inquire directly with their local stores to see if they offer them or can accommodate the request.
Comparison to Other Pizza Chains
Many leading national pizza chains now offer gluten-free crusts as options for gluten-sensitive customers, including:
- Domino’s
- Papa John’s
- Pizza Hut
- California Pizza Kitchen
However, availability of gluten-free crusts can vary by location. Customers generally need to specify that they require a gluten-free pizza when placing their order.
While Little Caesars lags behind in this regard, pressure from customers and competition from other chains may lead it to offer gluten-free crusts more widely in the future.
Other Dietary Restriction Options
In addition to lacking a gluten-free crust, Little Caesars also does not offer options for other common dietary restrictions including:
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
Their menu contains cheese made with dairy as a standard ingredient on pizzas. It also includes several offerings cooked with meat toppings or served with meat-based sauces.
Making Special Requests
While menu options are limited, customers can try making special requests to accommodate dietary restrictions at Little Caesars.
Some tips for special orders include:
- Ask about swapping dairy cheese for dairy-free cheese
- Request no butter/garlic sauce on the crust
- Get a pizza without the crust and cheese, just sauce and toppings
- Ask if they have any gluten-free crusts available
Keep in mind that special requests may not always be possible depending on local restaurant capabilities. Confirming allergen-free options with the store is advised.
Is Little Caesars Developing More Diet-Friendly Options?
Little Caesars has not announced plans to expand its menu to cater to gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or other dietary restricted customers. The pizza chain has focused more on value, speed, and widespread accessibility.
However, brand representatives have stated that they are always exploring new menu opportunities. It’s possible that Little Caesars could develop more diet-friendly options in the future, especially if customers request them.
Monitoring Little Caesars’ menu for updates may be worthwhile for gluten-free pizza lovers as well as those with other food restrictions.
What About Crazy Bread?
In addition to their pizzas, Little Caesars also offers Crazy Bread – pieces of Italian dough coated in butter, garlic and parmesan cheese then baked. So what do gluten-free customers need to know about Crazy Bread?
Unfortunately, Little Caesars’ standard Crazy Bread recipe is not gluten-free or dairy-free. The dough contains wheat flour and the melted butter contains milk ingredients. It’s also topped with parmesan cheese.
Some customers report being able to request Crazy Bread made without butter. But the dough and presence of gluten in shared work areas still pose a contamination risk.
Conclusion
In summary, Little Caesars currently does not offer any certified gluten-free pizza crusts across all of its locations nationwide. Local franchises may occasionally experiment with gluten-free options or make accommodations for requests. But availability is extremely limited.
Gluten-free customers’ safest options are likely ordering a pizza without the crust or opting for the Italian Cheese Bread. Making special requests for alterations may also work in some cases. But there is no guarantee.
While Little Caesars lags behind other pizza chains in gluten-free and diet-friendly offerings, customer interest and feedback may lead to more options in the coming years. Those with food restrictions or allergies should call ahead for the latest information to see what can be accommodated.
