DETROIT, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.,
today achieved a major milestone with its pioneering Little Caesars
Veterans Program. The company is conducting its first three day training
class for six U.S. Veterans who have been awarded franchise opportunities
in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070430/CLM032 )
Launched on Veterans Day in 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans Program
creates an opportunity for veterans to become Little Caesars franchise
owners. The Little Caesars Veterans Program lessens some of the hurdles for
those who may not otherwise have the opportunity or the financial resources
to become entrepreneurs.
Through this program, qualified, honorably discharged veterans are
eligible to receive a benefit of $10,000, and service-disabled veterans are
eligible for a benefit of up to $68,000. Since its inception, the program
has received more than 1,100 inquiries from military veterans throughout
the United States.
"We're very pleased to welcome these veterans as Little Caesars
franchisees and it's exciting to see them starting new careers and becoming
business owners," said David Scrivano, president, Little Caesar
Enterprises, Inc. "We are very happy with the response the Little Caesars
Veterans Program has received, and how it provides exceptional business
opportunities for those who have served and sacrificed for their country
and now wish to serve their communities."
Said Vince Tripoli, a veteran and new Little Caesars franchisee, "The
Little Caesars Veterans Program is making a difference for veterans like
me. It has given me the opportunity to take my life in a new direction and
become an entrepreneur. I'm looking forward to putting the knowledge I gain
from the training programs into practice when I open my first store in
southeast Michigan later this year."
The inaugural training class will provide the new franchisees with an
overview of the required six week training program in which all Little
Caesars franchisees participate, as well as specific instruction on the
Little Caesars operating system in the store environment, real estate and
site selection. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk with
Little Caesars executives and company founder Michael Ilitch.
"I believe that the skills I learned in the military, including a focus
on teamwork, dedication and a familiarity with processes, will help me be
an effective Little Caesars franchisee," said veteran Patricia Evans, who
will open a Little Caesars store in Valdosta, Georgia. "I'm excited about
owning my own business and making decisions on a daily basis that impact
the bottom line, as well as participating in the Valdosta community."
Little Caesars franchisees and veterans Robbie Doughty and Lloyd
Allard, who opened their first Little Caesars store in Paducah, Ky, in
February, 2007, will also participate in the class and offer insights about
their experiences as entrepreneurs to-date. The training will conclude with
a celebratory gathering at Comerica Park where Doughty will throw out the
first pitch as the Detroit Tigers take on the Baltimore Orioles on May 2,
2007.
About Little Caesars
Little Caesars Pizza founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their
first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan in 1959. Today, Little Caesars is
the largest carry-out pizza chain internationally with restaurants on five
continents. Little Caesars is growing in prime markets across the country,
and offers qualified franchisee candidates an entrepreneurial business
opportunity with a proven system as a foundation. Franchisees are given a
myriad of tools and resources including ongoing training, architectural
services to help with design and construction, preferred lenders to assist
with financing, as well as management training and marketing, among many
others. In addition, Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one
of the most recognized characters in the country, Little Caesar, that
appeals to both adults and children.
Part of the Ilitch Holdings family of businesses, the company's primary
business interests in the food, sports and entertainment industries include
-- Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, Olympia
Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution,
Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising
Program, and a variety of venues within these entities. For more
information about Little Caesars and available markets and territories,
visit http://www.LittleCaesars.com or call 1.800.553.5776.
Note to Editors:
Little Caesars franchisees participating in the training class include:
Vince Tripoli: U.S. Army, Sergeant E5
Patricia Evans: U.S. Navy, Petty Officer
Mark Molina: U.S. Marine Corp, Sergeant
Robert Jones: U.S. Air Reserve, Staff Sergeant
Robert Flores: U.S. Air Force, Tech Sergeant
Michael Slater: U.S. Army, Specialist 4th class
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