Frederic Melton
Little Caesars is a popular pizza chain known for its affordable prices and simple menu options. While the chain has not introduced dairy-free cheese alternatives like some of its competitors, it offers a range of dairy-free and vegan options. Little Caesars uses a blend of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella and Muenster cheese supplied by Leprino's corp. Leprino's produces cheese at different price points, and Little Caesars has been accused of switching to cheaper, lower-quality cheese over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese supplier | Leprino |
| Cheese type | Low-moisture, part skim and whole milk mozzarella and Muenster cheese |
| Quality | Low |
| Availability of vegan cheese | No |
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What You'll Learn
Little Caesars uses Leprino cheese
Leprino Foods began supplying cheese to Little Caesars in the 1950s, shortly after the pizza chain was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in Detroit. Over the years, Leprino Foods has become the exclusive supplier of cheese to several major pizza chains, including Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's.
Leprino Foods provides Little Caesars with a blend of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella and Muenster cheese. This blend is supplied to Little Caesars in shredded and individually frozen portions, a process known as "Quality Locked Cheese" that was introduced by Leprino in 1986.
While Little Caesars uses other vendors for cheese, Leprino Foods remains a significant supplier to the pizza chain. The company's focus on large pizza chains has allowed it to control a significant share of the market for pizza cheese, with sales of over $3 billion annually.
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Leprino offers cheeses at different price points
Little Caesars is one of the many pizza chains that use cheese from Leprino Foods, an American company founded in 1950 by Mike Leprino Sr. in Denver, Colorado. Leprino is the largest mozzarella producer in the world, supplying cheese to 85% of the pizza market.
Leprino Foods offers a wide range of cheese products, including mozzarella, reduced-fat Monterey jack, provolone, reduced-fat cheddar, and various cheese blends. They also produce lactose, whey protein, and sweet whey. The company has facilities all over the world, including the US, Brazil, Singapore, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Leprino's commitment to quality is evident in their use of premium Grade A milk to ensure every batch of cheese meets their customers' specifications. They blend traditional cheesemaking techniques with modern technology, allowing them to produce consistently excellent cheese.
Leprino's diverse product range and ability to meet the diverse needs of their customers have solidified their position as a leading cheese supplier globally. Their partnerships with top food and nutrition brands, as well as their commitment to innovation and quality, ensure their continued success in the market.
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Little Caesars' cheese blend includes low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella
Little Caesars is a popular pizza chain known for its affordable prices and simple menu options. While the chain has not jumped on the dairy-free cheese trend, it is important to note that their cheese blend contains a combination of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella. This blend is supplied by Leprino, a company that offers a range of cheese products at different price points.
Over time, some customers have speculated that Little Caesars may have quietly replaced their original cheese blend with a lower quality alternative, as the stretchability of the cheese has decreased. However, Little Caesars has not released any official statements regarding changes to their cheese blend.
The use of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella in their blend may be a contributing factor to the perceived change in quality. Low-moisture mozzarella has a firmer texture and melts more slowly than regular mozzarella, which can impact the stretchability and overall mouthfeel of the cheese.
Part-skim mozzarella, on the other hand, is made with a combination of whole milk and skim milk, resulting in a slightly lower fat content. While this type of mozzarella still melts well and provides a similar taste to whole milk mozzarella, it may contribute to a slightly drier texture.
Whole milk mozzarella, as the name suggests, is made with whole milk and has a higher fat content. This variety contributes to the overall creaminess and stretchability of the cheese blend. However, it is important to note that the ratio of low-moisture to part-skim and whole milk mozzarella in the blend can impact the final texture and taste.
In conclusion, Little Caesars' cheese blend, including low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella, may have evolved over time, leading to variations in the texture and taste experienced by customers. While the chain has not advertised any changes, the combination of these mozzarella types can result in a unique cheese blend that differs from traditional pizza cheeses.
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The chain does not offer vegan cheese
Little Caesars is a popular pizza chain known for its affordable prices and simple menu options. While the chain offers a range of dairy-free items, it does not currently provide vegan cheese as one of its menu choices. This means that those who follow a strict vegan diet or have dairy allergies may find their options limited at Little Caesars.
Little Caesars uses a blend of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella and Muenster cheese supplied by Leprino. Leprino offers cheeses at different price points, and it appears that Little Caesars has opted for a cheaper, lower-quality option. This has been a common strategy for large food conglomerates, where they initially use high-quality ingredients to attract customers and then quietly switch to cheaper alternatives.
The lack of vegan cheese options at Little Caesars is notable, especially considering that other pizza chains like Blaze Pizza and MOD Pizza have embraced dairy-free cheese alternatives. However, Little Caesars does offer some dairy-free items and custom order options for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. For example, their Crazy Bread butter and garlic flavour spread is oil-based and does not contain milk. Similarly, their deep-dish pizza, when ordered without cheese, can be made vegan.
While Little Caesars does not offer vegan cheese, those with dairy allergies or vegan diets can still find options at the chain by custom ordering their pizzas and sides. However, it is always advisable to check with the local store to confirm the ingredients used and whether there are any changes to the menu or ingredients. Little Caesars' simple and affordable menu has remained a favourite among customers, but the chain has yet to jump on the dairy-free cheese trend embraced by some of its competitors.
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Little Caesars' menu is reliable and affordable
Little Caesars is a popular pizza chain that offers a reliable and affordable menu to its customers. While the chain has not jumped on the dairy-free cheese trend, it still offers a range of dairy-free and vegan options. The chain is also known for its simple menu, which includes items such as pizza, wings, Crazy Bread, Crazy Puffs, and Cinnamon Bites.
Little Caesars has been praised for its affordable prices and the ease of custom ordering vegan pizzas and sides. The chain offers guidance on custom orders and provides detailed information on allergens and dietary restrictions. For example, customers can order Crazy Bread without cheese or butter to make it dairy-free. Similarly, the Cinnamon Bites without icing are dairy-free in select countries.
However, some customers have expressed disappointment in the quality of cheese used by Little Caesars. There are claims that the chain has quietly replaced high-quality cheeses with inferior, low-quality alternatives from the same supplier, Leprino's, which offers cheese at different price points. This change has allegedly resulted in a noticeable decline in the taste and stretchability of the cheese.
Despite this, Little Caesars remains a popular choice for those seeking an easy, affordable, and reliable dining option. The chain's commitment to providing allergen and dietary information empowers customers with special requirements to make informed choices. While there may be room for improvement in the quality of ingredients, Little Caesars continues to cater to a diverse range of customers with its straightforward and budget-friendly offerings.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not clear whether Little Caesars uses pasteurized cheese, but they use a blend of low-moisture, part-skim, and whole milk mozzarella and Muenster cheese supplied by Leprino.
No, Little Caesars does not offer vegan cheese. However, they offer dairy-free options, including custom order guidance for vegans.
Yes, Little Caesars offers dairy-free options, including custom order guidance for those with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Little Caesars sources its cheese from Leprino, which offers a range of cheese options at different price points.
Some customers have noticed a change in the quality of Little Caesars' cheese, suggesting that the company may have switched to lower-quality ingredients over time.
