Largest pizza chain in the world with stores in more than 27 countries and territories worldwide, including in each of the 50 U.S. Working hand-in-hand, Marian and Mike grew a single, family-owned Little Caesars pizza store in Metro Detroit into the third To open their own business – a single Little Caesars pizza shop in Garden City, Michigan. The couple then invested their family savings Marian was a full-time mother until after her and Mike’s third child was born. She wasĬaptured by the hustle and bustle of working downtown during Detroit’s prime. (1929-2017), Marian worked as a reservation clerk for Delta Airlines in Detroit – Mike’s hometown. Before marrying her husband and lifetime business partner, Mike Ilitch Marian’s first paying job was at SS Kresge in Dearborn. She graduated from Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan, and attended DearbornĬommunity College where she studied liberal arts and completed an accounting course. Marian started out in the food business as a young girl filling napkin containers and salt and pepper shakers The most successful businesswomen in the country. The daughter of Macedonian immigrants raised on grit and hard work, Marian has been recognized as one of Marian Ilitch is a leading entrepreneur in the food, sports and entertainment industries. Founder and Chairwoman, Ilitch Holdings, Inc.