U.S. Military Veteran Opens Pizza Franchise Under Little Caesars Veterans Program |
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.
For more information about the Little Caesars Veterans Program and
available franchise opportunities, visit http://www.LittleCaesars.com or call
1.800.553.5776.
* "Highest-Rated Chain - Value for the Money" based on a nationwide
survey of quick-service restaurant consumers conducted by Sandelman &
Associates, 2008
SOURCE Little Caesars Pizza
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