A Little Caesars executive said Friday the pizza chain is looking to open new stores in New London, Groton and Westerly.

Ed Ader, director of franchise development for Little Caesars, said in a telephone interview the Detroit-based chain was eyeing Colman Street or Bank Street in New London for a new location. The more than 50-year-old company previously had stated interest in locating a franchise on Granite or Franklin streets in Westerly, and Ader said a Groton franchise at an unspecified location is also on the horizon.

Ader said the company has yet to identify entrepreneurs ready to open a new franchise in any of these communities. Little Caesar requires franchise owners to have at least $100,000 in net worth and to make a significant investment in their enterprise.

"We will work with them to find a location," Ader said.

After identifying a franchise buyer, Little Caesars usually takes about five to eight months to open a new store, Ader said. Stores tend to be located in established buildings with about 1,400 square feet of space, he added.

Shops are strictly takeout, with Little Caesars being known for its "Hot-N-Ready" pizzas, chicken wings and bread sticks that do not require pre-ordering. The company aims at low prices, with a cheese pizza going for $5.

"Hot-N-Ready — that's our niche," Ader said.

Ader said Little Caesars has had a good experience with its first local franchise in Norwich, which is one of 22 in Connecticut. An online listing shows 19 franchise opportunities in Connecticut, not including New London or Groton, and Ader said New England is a major focus of growth for the company, which is the third-largest and fastest-growing pizza chain in the country.

A typical Little Caesars franchise employs 25 people part time, Ader said.

Ader said the company is aware of a push in the state legislature to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for employees of large restaurant chains over the next few years, but that hasn't affected the company's decision to move quickly into Connecticut.

"Any cost increase is a concern," Ader said, "but our system is managed to be the low-cost provider."

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow