Inspection Report

Business Name
Little Caesars

Business Address
439 S ELLSWORTH RD MESA AZ 85208

Permit Number
FD-77942

Permit Type
Food Establishment - Eating & Drinking

Inspection Purpose
CI Food Routine Inspection

Inspection Date
8/12/2026

Grade
Not Participating

Priority Violation
2

Inspection Status
Re-inspection required

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 #: 6

Description: Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use

Comments:

2-401.11 - Core: Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco Addl Notes: Observed open energy drink above the make-line unit. Discussed with person in charge (PIC) the importance of using cups with lids for any beverages in the kitchen area, also discussed keeping any beverages and food for employees below the prep area to ensure no contamination can occur. PIC relocated beverages and food at time of inspection. Discussed with employees best practices for food and beverage in the kitchen area. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. ===2ND CONSECUTIVE

Violation #: 22

Description: Proper Cold Holding Temperatures

Comments:

PRIORITY VIOLATION-3-501.16(A)(2) and (B) - Priority: Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Cold Holding. 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/4576/AMC-Toolbox---Cold-Holding.

Addl Notes: Observed ham, pepperoni, bacon, string cheese, mozzarella cheese, and nacho cheese in the bottom of the make-line unit ranging from 44*F to 50*F using probe thermometer, verified by person in charge (PIC). PIC stated the ham, pepperoni, and three bags of mozzarella cheese were placed in the unit less than four hours prior to inspection and relocated to the walk-in to rapid cool. The other items were in the unit since yesterday and were discarded by PIC - see embargo form. Ambient temperature was 52.5*F using min/max thermometer. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Except during preparation, cooking, cooling or when time is used as a control all TCS foods must be maintained at 41°F or below. Eggs not treated to destroy Salmonellae can be stored in equipment that maintains an ambient air temperature of 45°F or below.

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 spray bottle containing equipment cleaner stored above clean dishes/utensils on the clean rack. PIC relocated chemical to proper storage area at the time of inspection. Chemicals must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items at all times to prevent contamination. Corrective Action: Corrected at time of inspection. Predefined Comment: Chemicals must be stored away from food, utensils, and single service items at all times to prevent contamination. All chemicals were relocated and properly stored by PIC at time of inspection.

Violation #: 33

Description: Proper Cooling Methods Used; Adequate Equipment for Temperature Control

Comments:

4-301.11 - Priority Foundation: Cooling, Heating, and Holding Capacities-Equipment. 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/4617/AMC-Toolbox---Cooling. Addl Notes: Observed the bottom of the make-line unit being used to store TCS foods at 52.5*F using min/max thermometer, verified by person in charge. For a list of items being stored see violation #22. Corrective Action: Correct prior to re-inspection. Predefined Comment: Cold holding equipment must have the capacity to maintain TCS foods at 41°F or below. Must repair cold holding equipment such that it maintains TCS foods at 41°F or below. ===RE-INSPECTION: 8/25/26

Violation #: 49

Description: Non-Food-Contact Surfaces Clean

Comments:

4-602.13 - Core: Nonfood Contact Surfaces Addl Notes: Observed the rack above crazy bread assembling area, rack that stores clean dishes, rack at end of pizza prep area, and rack used to store assembled pizzas while using time as a control with a large amount of grease/organic matter. Clean racks on a more regular basis to prevent build up. Corrective Action: Correct prior to next routine inspection. Predefined Comment: Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be cleaned at a frequency necessary to preclude accumulation of soil residues.

Comments/Details

Predefined Comment: No County legal action will result from this inspection.
Re-inspection for make-line unit: 8/25/26.

"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.