Among the various businesses popping up around the North Gate area of campus, students can also expect to see a Little Caesars Pizza at the intersection of Highland Road and Aster Street in the coming months.
The new restaurant is under construction and is projected to open by April 1, said Ramon Arias, Little Caesars president and local business owner.
“The restaurant will feature a drive-thru, carry-out and a dining space with limited seating,” Arias said.
But with numerous pizza joints located around the University, some question what sets Little Caesars apart from the rest.
“For the last several years Little Caesars has been voted best value,” Arias explained.
Arias said this title rides on two words: “hot” and “ready.”
He said Little Caesars is known for its $5 HOT-N-READY pizzas, 14-inch pepperoni pizzas straight out of the oven and ready at all times.
He said HOT-N-READY pizzas require no call-aheads and no wait.
Custom pizzas are available by calling ahead. Customers can choose from a variety of toppings, but the franchise does not deliver, Arias said.
Arias said the new Little Caesars will be the fifth restaurant in the Baton Rouge area, with two stores located on Airline Highway, one on Sherwood Forest Boulevard and one on O’Neal Lane.
Austin Earhart, an agent with Beau Box Commercial Real Estate, said the 2,500-square-foot building was formerly a Regions Bank and was sold after about four months on the market.
Earhart sold the building to a group of investors for $300,000 in March 2010. He said the investors then leased the building to the Little Caesars franchise.
Arias said Little Caesars is selective about its locations because they do not deliver.
“This spot seems to be one of the best ones in the Baton Rouge area,” he said.
 
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Contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]