U.S. Military Veteran Opens Pizza Franchise Under Little Caesars Veterans Program

By: Little Caesars Pizza | 0 Shares 479 Reads

Innovative Program Provides Business Opportunity to Former Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz., July 1 // PRNewswire // -- Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today proudly celebrates the grand opening of another store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program, as former U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant Billy Tucker opens his Little Caesars Pizza restaurant at 1371 Hancock Road in Bullhead City, Ariz.

"It is an honor to be a part of a franchise system that supports veterans for their service and provides the opportunity for us to become business owners and operators," said Tucker. "The Little Caesars Veterans Program will allow me to utilize the skills I learned in the military to run my store and build for my future."

Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 1993, Tucker was responsible for coordinating combat aircraft and helicopter operations for the 2nd Marine Division during the Gulf War. In 1992, after his honorable discharge, he was considering other professional options for the future. He was offered the opportunity to work for his brother in-law, a Little Caesars franchisee in Las Vegas, and moved to the area to supervise three stores.

When his brother in-law retired in 1999, Tucker pursued a career in the real estate industry as a broker. He remained interested in business opportunities with Little Caesars, and when he learned about the Little Caesars Veterans Program he was motivated to rejoin the brand as a franchisee.

"Little Caesars has always been committed to giving back to the communities they serve, and that's important to me," said Tucker. "I look forward to giving back to the Bullhead City community as a business owner, and serving fresh, high quality pizza to my customers, ready when they are, with no waiting or need to call ahead."

The Little Caesars Veterans Program was created in 2006 to thank veterans for their service and provide them with career opportunities when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change. It offers honorably discharged, service-disabled veterans, such as Tucker, who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees, a benefit of up to approximately $68,000 on their first store. Honorably discharged, non-service-disabled veterans who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees are eligible for a benefit of up to approximately $20,000 on their first store.

"With talented veterans such as Billy joining the Little Caesars team, the Little Caesars Veterans Program continues to grow and offer veterans business ownership opportunities," said David Scrivano, president of Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "The skills Billy gained in the military, such as teamwork, dedication and a familiarity with processes, will enable him to become a strong Little Caesars franchisee."

Some of the menu items Tucker will feature in his store include HOT-N-READY(R) Pizza, Crazy Bread(R), Caesar Wings(R) and Caesar Dips(R).

In one of the largest U.S. quick serve restaurant research studies in 2008, Little Caesars was named the best value for the money of all quick serve restaurant chains.* Sandelman & Associates' Quick-Track(R) research study tracks key consumer behavioral and attitudinal measures for all major fast-food chains. Surveys were conducted among more than 94,000 quick service restaurant customers in 75 major markets across the U.S. Little Caesars was also named highest rated pizza chain for "Convenience of Locations" and "Speed of Service."

Since the program launched in over two years ago, interest has remained high in the Little Caesars Veterans Program. Currently, more than 50 veterans collectively are applying more than $1.5 million in credits and benefits to help them grow their Little Caesars businesses. To date, more than 2,500 inquires have been made about the program.

The Center for Veterans Enterprise (part of the Department of Veterans Affairs), Marine For Life (an organization that helps Marines and Sailors transition to civilian life), and the International Franchise Association (through its VetFran program) are points of contact for the Little Caesars Veterans Program. They can provide information about the requirements and qualifications of becoming a Little Caesars franchisee.

About Little Caesars

Little Caesars Pizza founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan, in 1959. Little Caesars, the fastest growing pizza chain, built more stores in the world in 2008 than any other pizza brand and today is the largest carry-out chain globally with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars is growing in prime markets across the country, and is offering strong franchisee candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system. For the second year in a row, Little Caesars was named "Best Value in America"* of all quick-serve restaurant chains. In addition, Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized and appealing characters in the country, Little Caesar.

In addition to Little Caesars Pizza, Ilitch companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, and a variety of venues within these entities. Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers. Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.

* "Highest-Rated Chain - Value for the Money" based on a nationwide survey of quick-service restaurant consumers conducted by Sandelman & Associates, 2008

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