Inspection Report

Business Name
Little Caesars

Business Address
1118 N RECKER RD MESA AZ 85205

Permit Number
FD-77689

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
4/24/2025

Grade
B

Priority Violation
1

Inspection Status
Completed

Violations

Violation #: 2

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: Certified Food Protection Manager not at establishment during 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. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Violation #: 16

Description: Food-Contact Surfaces: Cleaned and Sanitized

Comments:

4-601.11(A) - Priority Foundation: Equipment, Food-Contact Surfaces, Nonfood-Contact Surfaces, and Utensils. 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: Observed food debris and liquid on several plastic containers that are used to store TCS pizza toppings such as cheese, sausage, and pepperoni, stored as clean on the rack near the walk-in cooler. PIC placed the containers at the 3-compartment sink to be rewashed and sanitized. Discussed the hazards of TCS foods left on equipment that is stored at room temperature. Many foodborne illness pathogens grow rapidly in the danger zone (41-135F). TCS food debris remaining on clean equipment is a potential source of contamination for foods that come into contact with the equipment. 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: Observed a spray bottle of the orange pro chemical hanging from the top shelf of the prep area in-between the hot holding cabinets. The chemical observed to be directly over clean sheet pans, a cheese shaker, wing sauce etc. PIC moved the spray bottle to the correct storage area. Discussed storing chemicals in a place away from food, equipment, utensils etc. to avoid contamination of food and food contact surfaces. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection.

Violation #: 55

Description: Physical Facilities Installed, Maintained, and Clean

Comments:

6-501.12 - Core: Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions Addl Notes: Observed soil accumulation on the floor and walls in the dough prep area and the 3-compartment sink area. Discussed doing a deep cleaning and cleaning more often. Frequent cleaning of surfaces in the kitchen will limit pest harborage conditions and pathogen growth. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection.

Comments/Details

Discussed disconnecting the water line and nozzle near the 3-compartment sink. The drain line is was not draining properly and according to PIC, the water line is not working correctly and is not being used for the dough water. If the water line and nozzle is used to dispense water to make the dough, it must first be cleaned and stored in a way that does not allow if to rest on the floor. Discussed the procedure for setting timers for the pizzas on the zone rack.
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.