DETROIT — When Little Caesars founder Mike Ilitch passed away on Feb. 10, the community took the opportunity to reflect on his philanthropic efforts locally, WXYZ reports.
Ilitch founded Little Caesars in 1959 in suburban Detroit with his wife, Marian. The business — later known for its "Pizza! Pizza!" ads featuring an animated "Little Caesar" — eventually grew into one of the world's largest carry-out pizza chains with several spin-off companies that now employ 23,000 people worldwide and posted revenues last year of $3.4 billion.
One of Ilitch's most notable acts of kindness? A helping hand towards, arguably, the most influential civil rights activist, also a Detroit native, Rosa Parks.
Ilitch paid the rent of Parks, according to a 2014 news article from Sports Business Daily.
Sports Business Daily spoke with former federal appeals judge Damon Keith, showed a check for $2,000 from Little Caesars Enterprises, which was written out to Riverfront Apartments.
A 1994 burglary in Park’s apartment raised concerns over her safety.
Keith told Sports Business Daily that when news of the burglary spread, he reached out to the owner of Riverfront Apartments, Alfred Taubman, who vowed to help Parks find placement.
After Ilitch read about Parks’ ordeal in the local paper he reached out to Keith, promising to pay her rent for however long was needed.
Ilitch is also recognized for his contributions to the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. His efforts kept the professional sports teams in the city as others relocated to new suburban stadiums.