Little Caesars introduced its pretzel pizza in 2013 to much fanfare. The pizza featured a pretzel crust, cheese sauce, pepperoni, and mustard swirled on top. It quickly became one of Little Caesars’ most popular limited time offers. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited its return whenever Little Caesars announces a new promotion. Rumors swirl every time a new LTO is unveiled, but so far the pretzel pizza has remained elusive. Here’s a quick look at the history of the pretzel pizza and whether Little Caesars has any plans to bring it back in the future.
The Original Pretzel Pizza Craze
Little Caesars first introduced the pretzel pizza as a limited time offer in April 2013. Foodbeast described it as “the Frankenstein of pizzas,” featuring a crispy pretzel crust, creamy white cheddar cheese sauce instead of marinara, mozzarella and Muenster cheeses, pepperoni, and a mustard drizzle. It instantly became a social media sensation, with fans sharing photos across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The pretzel pizza was part of a broader menu expansion at Little Caesars, which also included a bacon-wrapped pizza, tomato basil pizza, and chicken and waffle pizza. But it was the pretzel pizza that really captured people’s attention. Business Insider reported that it helped drive an 8% increase in sales at Little Caesars that quarter.
Why Fans Loved the Pretzel Pizza
There are several reasons why the pretzel pizza was such a big hit:
Unique Flavors
The combination of the salty pretzel crust, creamy cheese sauce, pepperoni, and tangy mustard was unique for a national pizza chain. Foodbeast called the clash of flavors “strangely harmonious.” It provided an indulgent experience.
Value pricing
Like all Little Caesars pizzas, the pretzel pizza was affordably priced at just $6. A gourmet pretzel pizza at a higher end restaurant could cost three times as much.
Social media hype
The photogenic nature of the pretzel pizza with its pretzel bites around the edge made it perfect for social media. Foodbeast’s article and other coverage drove curiosity and awareness.
Limited time availability
The limited time offer created urgency for fans to try it. Limited availability also generates buzz and the feeling that customers are getting something special.
Given the strong response, many fans were disappointed when the pretzel pizza disappeared from the menu after its short LTO window ended.
Where Did the Pretzel Pizza Go?
Little Caesars has brought back many other popular limited time offers over the years, like the bacon wrapped deep dish pizza, cheeseburger pizza, and Detroit style pizza. But despite fan demand, the pretzel pizza hasn’t made a reappearance yet.
There are a few possible reasons:
Production challenges
The pretzel crust gave the pizza a totally different look and texture. This likely required changes to Little Caesars’ kitchen operations and training to produce it consistently. The company may have decided the operational disruption wasn’t worth bringing it back full time.
Cannibalization concerns
LTOs are intended to drive incremental traffic and sales, not steal it from a chain’s core offerings. If the pretzel pizza became so popular that it started to displace Little Caesars’ regular hot-n-ready pizzas too much, that could be a problem.
Difficult to sustain demand
Like many LTOs, the hype around the pretzel pizza was tied to its limited availability. If Little Caesars made it broadly available nationwide for a long period, interest may have faded sooner than expected.
Nonetheless, the continued customer requests indicate that there is still strong demand for a pretzel pizza resurgence. Little Caesars may be waiting for the right time to bring it back.
Has Little Caesars Been Teasing a Pretzel Pizza Comeback?
Little Caesars keeps its limited time offer plans mostly secret. But fans continue to speculate any time a new promotion is announced. Here are some of the developments that fueled rumors about a pretzel pizza comeback:
New Stuffed Pretzel Crust in 2020
In December 2020, Little Caesars introduced a new stuffed pretzel crust as a limited time option for its regular pizza. It featured a ring of soft pretzel dough around the pizza with cheese sauce inside the crust. While not the same as a full pretzel crust, it did incorporate pretzel flavors. Some viewed this as a potential preview of a return of pretzel pizza.
Detroit Style Pizza 2021
When Little Caesars launched its Detroit style pizza nationwide in 2021, it offered a Parmesan-crusted option. The cross-cut squares of pizza with Parmesan seasoning on the crust again had some superficial resemblance to pretzel pizza for fans paying close attention.
New “Dayparted” Promotions 2022
In 2022, Little Caesars introduced a new strategy of limited time offers tied to different dayparts, like Hot-N-Ready 4-Slice Pizzas and Big Pizza Event on Mondays, or $5 Lunch Combos on weekdays. This prompted speculation that a pretzel pizza LTO could return targeted just for certain days/times. But so far it remains hypothetical.
Will the Pretzel Pizza Ever Come Back?
Little Caesars has not officially confirmed any plans to bring back the pretzel pizza. But hope remains among fans that it could return someday, if even for a short promotion. Here are some of the factors that may weigh into Little Caesars’ decision:
Nostalgia marketing
Nostalgia is a powerful marketing tactic. Brands frequently bring back products for anniversary occasions or to appeal to customers’ fond memories of the past. The 10 year anniversary of the original pretzel pizza launch passed in 2023, renewing pleas from fans. A comeback would tap into that nostalgia.
Growth of pretzels
Pretzels have become increasingly popular on restaurant menus in recent years. Auntie Anne’s, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Philly Pretzel Factory, and others have expanded rapidly. Pizza Hut added pretzel crust options in 2021. The growing consumer appeal of pretzels improves the chance Little Caesars rediscovers its pretzel pizza.
Value positioning
Little Caesars’ traditional value price positioning has come under pressure from grocery inflation, discounted bundles at Domino’s and Pizza Hut, and cheap offers from convenience stores and gas stations. Bringing back the iconic pretzel pizza could help Little Caesars reinforce perceptions of value compared to competitors.
LTO innovation needs
Large QSR chains constantly have to innovate limited time offers to drive interest and sales. While Little Caesars has introduced various new options in recent years, consumer enthusiasm has not matched the social media frenzy of the pretzel pizza. At some point, it may make sense to tap back into that proven winner.
The Case For and Against a Pretzel Pizza Comeback
There are reasonable arguments on both sides of the debate whether Little Caesars should bring back the famous pretzel pizza:
The Case For Bringing Back Pretzel Pizza
| Pros | Description |
| Fulfill customer demand | Many loyal fans continue to request the pretzel pizza’s return. Bringing it back would fulfill that customer desire and generate goodwill. |
| Recapture social buzz | The massive social media and online excitement around the original launch demonstrated this is a compelling LTO. A comeback could recapture some of that buzz. |
| Differentiate from competition | No national pizza chain currently offers a pretzel pizza. Little Caesars could stand out from Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Papa Johns. |
| Tap pretzel trend | Pretzels are a fast-growing indulgent food trend, fitting Little Caesars’ value positioning. |
| Drive traffic and sales | As a proven popular LTO, a pretzel pizza comeback would generate incremental traffic and sales. |
The Case Against Bringing Back Pretzel Pizza
| Cons | Description |
| Short-lived excitement | Interest may quickly fade if pretzel pizza went nationwide as a permanent menu item rather than a limited offer. |
| Operational complexity | The unique pretzel crust complicates kitchen operations. Training and inconsistent production could be issues. |
| May steal sales from original | Some consumers satisfied by the returning pretzel pizza may order it rather than core classics like Pepperoni or Cheese pizzas. |
| Dilutes brand identity | The pretzel pizza strays quite far from Little Caesars’ traditional offering. Too much menu innovation could dilute its value brand identity. |
Market Research on Pretzel Pizza Demand
While fans make plenty of noise on social media calling for its return, Little Caesars would want to do careful market research before committing to bring back the pretzel pizza. Some possible approaches could include:
Customer surveys
Ask a sample of existing Little Caesars customers to rate their interest level in the pizza returning on a scale of 1 to 10. Also ask how likely they would be to purchase it.
Trial tests
Bring back the pretzel pizza in a small number of test markets. Track sales and customer feedback. Tweak the product format if needed.
Focus groups
Conduct qualitative research by recruiting loyal customers to taste test potential versions of pretzel pizza and give in-depth feedback in a focus group setting.
Social media monitoring
Continuously monitor social platforms for organic mentions of pretzel pizza to gauge ongoing consumer interest.
This market research would help Little Caesars determine if demand is strong enough to justify the operational complexity of returning pretzel pizza.
How Little Caesars Could Bring Back Pretzel Pizza
If Little Caesars decides the time is right to bring back pretzel pizza, here are some ideas for how they could do it successfully:
Limited time offer
Bring back the pretzel pizza for a 4-8 week limited time offer window. This would recreate the urgent buzz of the original promotion.
Regional rollout
Test it in a few regional markets first before making it nationally available. Work out any execution issues on a small scale.
Platform LTO
Make it a platform LTO with set pretzel crust but changing toppings/sauces for different varieties over time to sustain interest.
Premium pricing
Price it at a slight premium to the everyday pizzas to account for higher costs while still positioning it as a value compared to other restaurants.
Target college towns
Market it on campuses and in college towns initially where younger consumers drive social buzz.
New product names
Consider fun new product names for a pretzel pizza revival like the Pretzel Pub Pizza or Pepperoni Pretzel Popper Pizza.
The Bottom Line on Pretzel Pizza
Little Caesars has yet to hint at any imminent plans to bring back the pretzel pizza. But interest remains high among its passionate fan base. At some point when the timing aligns with its marketing calendar and innovation pipeline, resuscitating this former hit as a limited time offer would generate excitement.
The legendarypizza left an indelible mark in Little Caesars’ brand history. By playing to customer nostalgia and tapping into enduring interest in indulgent pretzel flavors, a well-executed pretzel pizza sequel could turn back the clock and give Little Caesars another viral LTO smash.
Conclusion
The pretzel pizza remains one of Little Caesars’ most creative menu innovations and a fan favorite LTO. While its limited availability was key to its original buzz and success, Little Caesars still has opportunities to bring back the pretzel pizza for short stints and capture consumer excitement all over again. Market research can give them important insights into current demand. With strategic decisions on timing, marketing, and availability, a pretzel pizza comeback could once more drive sales, differentiate Little Caesars from competitors, and remind customers of the creativity and value they expect from this innovative brand.