Disabled Veteran and Pizza Entrepreneur
Celebrate
Grand Opening Side-by-Side
Industry Leader
Inspired to Create New Opportunity for
Veterans
PADUCAH, KY – (February
5, 2007) A U.S. veteran who lost both his
legs in an Iraqi roadside bomb explosion in 2004 will begin a new
career because his compelling and indomitable spirit moved a total
stranger to give back to those who have served our country. The Kentucky soldier and the founder of one of
the nation’s largest pizza chains stood proudly side-by-side
for the grand opening celebration of the veteran’s new pizza
store on February 1, 2007.
Army Staff Sergeant Robbie Doughty,
31, was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in July 2004 and
began a long road to recovery where he faced an uncertain future
with his young family. As he endured months of rehabilitation, he
never gave up hope, never lost his courageous spirit and learned
to walk again.
Michael
Ilitch, who along with Little Caesars Pizza is the owner of the 2006
American League Champion Detroit Tigers and the 10 time Stanley Cup
franchise Detroit Red Wings, read about Doughty when he was profiled
in a November 23, 2004 USA Today article. Ilitch was so moved by Doughty’s courage and determination
that he called Doughty to thank him for serving our country. After
many conversations, Ilitch offered Doughty a business opportunity:
to open his own Little Caesars Pizza franchise in his hometown of Paducah, Kentucky.
“Doughty stood strong for our
country,” said Ilitch. “I was so impressed by his courage,
commitment and upbeat attitude in the face of adversity, that I wanted
to do something. Offering him a new career path in his hometown
seemed like a good transition. Doughty’s ‘can-do’ attitude
will make him a strong Little Caesars franchisee.”
Doughty
accepted Ilitch’s offer
and followed his suggestion to find a business partner. Doughty
asked fellow veteran Lloyd Allard, who served in the 3rd Battalion
5th Special Forces Group in the Sunni Triangle with him,
to join the Little Caesars team.
“After a career in the
military, I was open to a new venture,” said Doughty. “Our
military background and familiarity with systems, processes and a
teamwork management style make the Little Caesars franchise a good
fit. Opening a business and becoming an entrepreneur will definitely
be an exciting new chapter in my life for my family and me.”
“From day one, Doughty was
ready for his next challenge,” said Allard. “With
our leadership skills and Little Caesars’ training and ongoing
support system, we look forward to becoming strong franchisees and
sharing our experience with other veterans.”
Their
story also inspired Ilitch to launch a new, innovative franchise program
to provide qualified, honorably discharged veterans with a business
opportunity when they transition to civilian life or seek a career
change. The program
provides a benefit of $10,000 for qualified veterans, and up to $68,000
in benefits for service-disabled veterans.
“Doughty and Allard inspired
me with a vision: to develop a program to create career opportunities
for military veterans. I believe that it’s important for Little
Caesars and corporate America to thank the men and women
who have served in the armed forces and this program offers an exceptional
opportunity for veterans who are seeking new career options,” said
Ilitch.
Ilitch was present on February 1,
2007 with Doughty and Allard, who have been preparing for their grand
opening, to cut the ribbon for the official opening of their Little
Caesars pizza franchise in Paducah, Kentucky.
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 world’s largest carry-out pizza
chain, and one of the top four international pizza chains with restaurants
on five continents. Little Caesars is expanding in prime locations across
the country, and provides franchisees with ongoing training and support.
It has a wealth of experience in all aspects of successful restaurant
operation, and has consistently achieved industry “firsts” with
product and system innovations. In addition, Little Caesars offers strong
brand awareness with one of the most recognized characters in the country,
Little Caesar.
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, 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.
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