Inspection Report

Business Name
Little Caesars

Business Address
2754 E MCKELLIPS RD MESA AZ 85213

Permit Number
FD-22627

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
9/14/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
3

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 1

Description: Person in Charge Present, Demonstrates Knowledge, and Performs Duties

Comments:

2-101.11 - Priority Foundation: Assignment; Person In Charge Present Addl Notes: Two separate employees stated that there was no manager or PIC present at the start of the inspection. An employee called the district manager to notify about the inspection and the DM assigned an employee to be in charge and came to the establishment. Ensure that a PERSON IN CHARGE is present at the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT during all hours of operation. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 2

Repeat Violation

Description: Certified Food Protection Manager

Comments:

2-102.12(A) - Core: Certified Food Protection Manager. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these resources on our website. https://www.maricopa.gov/5114/Food-Restaurants Addl Notes: *FIFTH CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION* The PIC is not a certified food protection manager. A CFPM showed up prior to the end of the inspection. Maricopa County requires all establishments that serve open food, which requires time/temperature control for food safety, to have at least one certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff. The Person in Charge shall be a CFPM and is required to be onsite during the hours of operation. This certificate must be visible or readily accessible and kept at the establishment for all inspections. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-4-703.11 - Priority: Hot Water and Chemical-Methods; Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4574/AMC-Toolbox---Food-Contact-Surfaces.

Addl Notes: Sanitizer in the third compartment sink was not filled high enough to sanitize the equipment in the sink. The PIC was instructed to fill the sink with additional sanitizer and did so. Ensure that equipment/utensils are exposed to chemical sanitizer for proper length of time according to manufacturer’s directions. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 24

Description: Time as a Public Health Control: Procedures and Records

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.19 (B1,3-4; C1,4-5) - Priority: Time as a Public Health Control; Temperature, Discarded. For a permanent fix to this violation, check out these simple tools in our Active Managerial Control Toolbox, made especially for you. https://www.maricopa.gov/4125/Food-SafetyOperator-Resources.

Addl Notes: Multiple prepped pizzas on a speed rack next to the make line with no set discard times (or timers set). Employee stated that they thought the pizzas had been made about two hours prior, but was unsure, and discarded-see embargo form. The FOOD shall be marked or otherwise identified to indicate the time of discard following internal policies. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 28

Description: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, and Used; Held for Retail Sale, Properly Stored

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-7-201.11 - Priority: Separation-Storage

Addl Notes: Three chemical items (glass cleaners and sanitizer) stored over clean pans/equipment and over dough in the ware wash and food prep areas. PIC relocated the chemical items. Ensure that toxic materials are stored in a manner to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single service items. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 49

Repeat Violation

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-601.11(B) and (C) - Core: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils Addl Notes: *SECOND CONSECUTIVE VIOLATION* Multiple racks used to hold prepped pizzas and breadsticks next to make line/ prep area with excessive old food debris/soil residue present. PIC stated that all areas would be cleaned. Ensure that equipment is cleaned frequently enough to preclude accumulation of soil residues. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: There is excessive dust, soil, trash, and old food residue present on ceilings, walls, and floors in the food prep, ware wash, bathroom, and cut table areas. Ensure that physical facility is cleaned as frequently as necessary. ** The presence of food debris or dirt on nonfood contact surfaces may provide a suitable environment for the growth of microorganisms which employees may inadvertently transfer to food. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

*A complaint was addressed during this inspection. No evidence was found to support the allegations made in the complaint.
Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.

"A" for Food Safety

Through our grading system, Maricopa County Environmental Services Department provides at-a-glance indications of how food establishments perform during food safety inspections. This system is designed to grade food establishments in terms of food safety requirements and provide recognition to those who choose to participate.

How does it work?

The issuance of grade cards to food establishments is based on voluntary participation. The person in charge, who is present during the inspection, will be asked whether they would like to participate in the Grading System. This will be decided prior to each inspection. If an establishment does not participate in the Grading System, Not Participating or NP will appear on the inspection report, and the inspection will still occur. If an establishment does participate, a grade of A, B, C, or D will be determined at the conclusion of the inspection using the Grading System chart below. Participating establishments will then be provided with a grade card that can be posted in the establishment. The status of the establishment’s grade will also appear on the Restaurant Ratings page of the department’s website.

How can I determine the grade?

The Grading System chart can be used to determine grades earned for establishments that do not participate. Grades are determined by the number of Priority and Priority Foundation violations received at the time of inspection. Violation types are defined in general terms below.

Definitions

Priority Violation: Major violation that directly contributes to increasing the risk of foodborne illness or injury (e.g. Food employees do not properly wash hands when required).
Priority Foundation Violation: Minor violation that does not directly contribute to an increased risk of foodborne illness but failure to correct this violation may lead to the occurrence of a priority violation. For example, hand washing soap and paper towels not available at hand wash sink (may lead directly to food employees not properly washing hands when required).
Core Violation: Minor violation that relates to general maintenance and sanitation (e.g. No sign reminding employees to wash hands).
Cutting Edge Program: All county food-related establishments can partner with Maricopa County to implement a proactive approach to reducing foodborne illness risk factors by implementing food safety systems that include policies, training, and verification processes. Partners enrolled in the Cutting Edge Program receive an A+ when an A is earned.

Grading System The matrix below is used to grade food inspections under the voluntary grading system.
Violation Category	Grade A	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade B	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade C	Grade D	Grade D
Priority	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	1	2	2	2	more than 2	more than 3
Priority Foundation	0	1	2	3	4	0	1	2	5	3	4	0	1	2	more than 3	more than 0

Any legal action for a pattern of non-compliance or permit suspension results in a D.