No. The famous $5 Hot-N-Ready pizza is gone. Little Caesars raised the Classic Hot-N-Ready to $5.55 in 2022, and in 2026 most stores charge between about $6 and $7.99 depending on the market. Even so, it is still the cheapest large pizza from a national chain.
Hot-N-Ready price history
| Period | Classic Hot-N-Ready price |
|---|---|
| Late 1990s to 2021 | $5 at most stores |
| 2022 | $5.55 national starting price |
| 2026 | About $6 to $7.99, typically about $6.99 |
Why the price went up
Ingredient, labor and rent costs rose sharply after 2020. Little Caesars held the $5 price for nearly two decades, longer than almost any fast food value item, then moved it when costs made that impossible. It added more pepperoni to the Classic at the same time.
How Little Caesars still keeps prices low
- Hot-N-Ready: pizzas are made ahead for busy times, so staff make many identical pizzas instead of custom orders.
- Carryout first stores: small storefronts, and many locations without dining rooms.
- Short menu: a handful of pizzas, Crazy Bread and wings means less waste.
- Family ownership: the Ilitch family owns the company privately, so it can focus on volume.
Is it still the cheapest pizza?
| Chain | Cheapest large pizza |
|---|---|
| Little Caesars | About $6.99, no coupon |
| Domino's | $7.99, carryout deal |
| Papa John's | $8.99, carryout deal |
| Pizza Hut | About $12.99, carryout deal |
How to get the lowest price
- Walk in and buy a Hot-N-Ready rather than ordering delivery.
- Try the $5.99 Lunch Combo from 11 AM to 2 PM.
- Add Crazy Bread for about $3.99 instead of a second pizza.
- Order ahead in the app and pick up from the Pizza Portal to skip the line.
Questions people ask
How much is a Little Caesars pizza now?
A Classic Hot-N-Ready is about $6.99 at most stores, ranging from about $6 to $7.99.
When did Little Caesars stop being $5?
In 2022, when the national starting price moved to $5.55.
Is Little Caesars the cheapest pizza chain?
Yes. It is the cheapest large pizza from a national chain without a coupon.
Who owns Little Caesars?
The Ilitch family, who founded it in 1959.
See every pizza and combo price on our Little Caesars menu page.