(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Jul 18, 2011

U.S. Military Veteran Achieves Dream of Owning a Little Caesars(R) Pizza Franchise

Innovative Program Provides Opportunities for Business Ownership

July 18, 2011 // Franchising.com // Manassas, Va. - Little Caesars Pizza celebrates the grand opening of another store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program. Former U.S. Marine Sergeant Steve Brevitz has recently opened the doors to his Little Caesars Pizza restaurant at 9020 Mathis Ave. in Manassas, Virginia.

'It has been a dream of mine to open my own business for a long time, and now I am finally living my dream,' said Brevitz. 'I researched several franchise opportunities and I kept coming back to Little Caesars because of the Little Caesars Veterans Program and the experience they have in franchising.'

Brevitz grew up in Battle Creek, Mich. Shortly after he enrolled at Western Michigan University, Brevitz felt inspired to enlist in the U.S. Marines Corps. He served as an Artillery Scout Observer, earning the ranking of Sergeant. Later, he re-enlisted and was deployed to Iraq twice.

Since serving his country, Brevitz has been pursuing other careers including real estate. Recently he decided to pursue his dream of to own his own business.

'Little Caesars Pizza is headquartered in Michigan, so I feel as though I'm carrying the torch for my home state,' said Brevitz. 'I am proud to now be a part of a company that I was so familiar with when I lived in Michigan. I grew up eating Little Caesars Pizza, now I get to make it, that's exciting for me.'

Some of the menu items Brevitz features in his store include HOT-N-READY® Pizza, Crazy Bread®, Caesar Wings® and Caesar Dips®.

The Little Caesars Veterans Program was created in 2006 to thank veterans for their service and provide them with opportunities when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change.

'The Little Caesars Veterans Program continues to grow and offer veterans like Steve an opportunity to own and operate their own business,' said Bob Maziotti, vice president of franchise development for Little Caesars Pizza. 'The skills Steve gained in the Marines will benefit him as he manages his Little Caesars franchise.'

Since the program launched, interest has remained high in the Little Caesars Veterans Program. Currently, more than 50 veterans collectively are using the program's benefits to help them grow their Little Caesars businesses. A dozen veterans have already built a second or third Little Caesars store, with plans for more.

About Little Caesars Pizza

Little Caesars Pizza founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan, in 1959. Little Caesars Pizza, the fastest growing pizza chain, built more stores in the world in 2010 than any other pizza brand and today is the largest carryout chain globally with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars Pizza is growing in prime markets across the country, and is offering strong franchisee candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system. For the fourth year in a row, Little Caesars Pizza 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, Michael and Marian Ilitch's 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 Little Caesars Pizza and available franchise opportunities, visit 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, 2010

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