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 career. But although 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 Caesars. It was 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 bake signature Hot-N-Ready pizzas, fresh pies designed for instant pickup, and warm, garlicky Crazy bread. And now with a storied half-century under their belt, Mike Ilitch and his family strive to give back to the community by supporting local organizations and overseeing their own charitable programs.