Hiring and firing are, of course, the legitimate prerogatives of Mike and Marian Ilitch, who founded Little Caesar 40 years ago. The Ilitches have gained a reputation over the years as hard-driving, demanding and unforgiving owners, who guard the secrecy of their plans, holdings and their finances. Marian Ilitch still signs all the checks. We're bursting at the seams. The two departed financial executives weren't hired to fix the pizza business.
Pizza does remain a concern.
The biggest concern, though, is the lack of an enduring professional management team that will keep Ilitch Ventures viable for the family, and the city, for years.