Little Caesars Pizza, Chehalis

More than 50 years go, Mike Ilitch was poised for Major League glory. An up-and-coming shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, his baseball finesse was blossoming when an injury derailed his sports career. Though the wound stunted his athletic aspirations, it steered him toward a new path, and on May 8, 1959, he and his wife opened the first Little Caesar's location, a then-unheard-of carryout-only joint.

The career shift and novel technique eventually proved triumphant: Today, the pizzeria's iconic, toga-clad mascot adorns storefronts on five continents. In each shop, staffers forge the signature Hot-N-Ready pizza, a freshly baked pie designed for instant pickup, and warm, garlicky Crazy Bread.

With a storied half-century under their belt, the Ilitch family strives to give back, supporting local organizations and creating its own charitable programs.